Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Dec. 8 a $100 million investment in water infrastructure and water quality efforts for the State of Iowa.
Through a new grant program within Iowa Finance Authority, Ms. Reynolds is allocating $75 million for the Water Infrastructure Fund. The funding will come through federal ARPA dollars and will support projects aimed at reducing excess nutrients, improving drought resiliency, reducing flood risks, improving public health, promoting reuse of water and wastewater and providing significant economic benefits to communities and the state. The grant application process will open Dec. 15.
“We recognize the value and importance of water quality and what that means to families, businesses and economic prosperity for our state,” said Ms. Reynolds. “That’s why we remain committed to improving Iowa’s water quality and providing these historic investments to local communities, landowners and organizations that aim to protect, preserve and restore Iowa’s water resources.”
An additional $25 million will be allocated to the Conservation Infrastructure Project at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. This project brings together public and private resources to advance the mission of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Improvements will be made in priority watersheds
“This additional funding will provide even more cost-share incentives for Iowa’s farmers and landowners to accelerate construction of conservation practices and improve water quality,” said Ms. Reynolds.
