|  | State Revolving Funds: Investing in Iowa's Water |
| IEC is excited to welcome a new feature to our Water Watch newsletter: the SRF Funding Spotlight. Iowa’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) is administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) to distribute funding for water infrastructure projects. These projects are split into two categories: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The funding is provided as low-interest loans which make the projects feasible and affordable for communities and create a sustainable source of funding year after year. These programs received an infusion of funds from the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which provide additional funding to the Iowa SRF for Federal Fiscal Years 2022-2026. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) funds projects for wastewater treatment and nonpoint source pollution. This includes projects like sewer system improvements, green infrastructure for pollution reduction, and maintenance or rehabilitation of wastewater treatment plants. With additional funding from the BIL, the CWSRF provides a little more than $24 million annually from 2022-2026, with just under half available as forgivable loans. Earlier this month, Iowa DNR announced plans to offer 0% interest loans in 2025 for projects that address nonpoint source pollution. These projects can help communities address fertilizer or stormwater pollution that degrades local streams. More information will be available in May. Since its inception in 1989, the CWSRF distributed more than $3.3 billion throughout Iowa. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) funds public water system projects, including the sourcing, treatment, storage, distribution, and maintenance of drinking water infrastructure. Public and private community water systems are eligible for DWSRF financial assistance. The DWSRF funds $28.5 million annually with additional funding from the BIL for 2022-2026, with just under half as forgivable loans. Since its inception in 1989, the DWSRF distributed more than $1 billion in Iowa. The Energy & Infrastructure Funding Hub is a platform where IEC shares federal funding opportunities for Iowa communities, business, and individuals, including those provided by the SRF. In previous issues of Water Watch, IEC included water-related federal funding opportunities for projects throughout Iowa. With the installment of the SRF Funding Spotlight, coupled with our work on the Energy & Infrastructure Funding Hub website, we’re excited to provide more detailed information regarding key dates, funds available, and application information. You can learn more about the projects funded by the Iowa SRF, the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and find application materials on the Iowa SRF website. If you have any questions about the SRF or other water-related funding opportunities, reach out to iecmail@iaenvironment.org. |
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| |  | AFO rule hearings this month - last chance to make comments! Last month, IEC alerted you about the Environmental Protection Commission's significant changes to Chapter 65 - Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) rules regarding siting and manure management. The rules package does not offer sufficient protections for water quality, specifically for facilities sited in vulnerable karst terrain. IEC will be submitting our comments soon, and we're encouraging you make comments at an upcoming hearing or submit comments too. Comments close at 4:30 p.m. on February 23. You can also attend the upcoming public meetings and tell the DNR that AFO rules must protect public health and water quality in Iowa: -
This week: Wednesday, February 14, from 1:30 - 3:30 pm, Auditorium - Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines (in-person) -
Next week: Monday, February 19, from 1:30 - 3:30 pm. To participate in the virtual hearing, please submit a request for the link to afo@dnr.iowa.gov. (virtual) |
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 | Mapping Iowa's environmental justice needs IEC's work on environmental justice issues in Iowa continues to expand, and this month, we rolled out a new tool to help all Iowans better understand environmental justice impacts in Iowa and who is most affected. IEC considered a variety of environmental burdens, including those pertaining to flood risk and potential agricultural loss due to climate change impacts. These burdens, coupled with disadvantages through poverty and demographic indicators, were key considerations for selecting five priority communities IEC will focus our environmental justice advocacy efforts in over the next two years. These include Sioux City, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo. Each community exceeded multiple environmental justice indicators, prompting IEC staff to identify ways we can provide support to address their unique conditions. We're eager to continue improving this tool and specializing it for our water priorities. Stay tuned on IWW's Instagram for environmental justice considerations as it pertains to beach advisories, nutrient runoff, floods, droughts, and more. |
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 | NRS publishes updated nutrient load data Iowa adopted a statewide Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) in 2013 to satisfy a U.S. EPA directive to address nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) pollution. The goal of the NRS is to reduce Iowa’s nutrient pollution by 45%. Responsibility for NRS implementation is divided between three state agencies: Iowa State University (research and data analysis), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (point source pollution reduction), and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (nonpoint source pollution reduction). This month, the NRS agencies released the 2022 nutrient load data on their ArcGIS dashboard. The data indicate an increase in nitrates since 2021, even during the ongoing prolonged drought conditions that reduced overall water flow and nutrient runoff. Fertilizer applied to crops leaches from soil, particularly during peaks of precipitation. The data show a continued lack of progress toward nutrient reduction goals. Learn more about the NRS at decliningdecade.org. |
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| | Participate in Environmental Advocacy Day at the Capitol on February 26 Each year, IEC hosts advocates, organizations, and legislators from across the state at the Iowa State Capitol Rotunda for Environmental Advocacy Day. IEC's Environmental Advocacy Day is scheduled for Monday, February 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. During Advocacy Day, you'll have the chance to talk with Iowa legislators, network with partners and allies, and meet other Iowans engaged in the work of improving policies to clean our land and water and grow renewable energy. In preparation for Advocacy Day, join us for our Legislative Update & Advocacy Training webinar on February 23. Register today! |
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| | | |  | | | Iowa Environmental Council
505 Fifth Ave., Suite 850
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2317
515-244-1194 | iecmail@iaenvironment.org |
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