EPA Awards $12.3 M to State of Iowa for Critical Water Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has awarded $12,326,000 to Iowa’s drinking water revolving loan program funds to help finance improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment.

“Clean drinking water and proper wastewater treatment are fundamental to protecting people's health, but aging water infrastructure needs to be upgraded and repaired,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Making investments like these will allow Iowa to protect water quality across the state.”

The more than $12 million in funding will be used across Iowa for water quality projects that will improve municipal drinking water and wastewater infrastructure; help protect public drinking water systems; make projects more sustainable by increasing water and energy efficiency; and reduce water pollution.

This is an annual Capitalization Grant awarded to Iowa’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) provides a financing mechanism to ensure safe drinking water for the public. The Capitalization Grant created by the SDWA funds various drinking water improvement projects for cities in Iowa.

Numerous projects will be funded that are listed on Iowa’s Intended Use Plan. The DWSRF Capitalization Grant funds public and privately-owned community water systems’ improvement projects, nonprofit non-community water systems, and disadvantaged communities. Infrastructure replacement and other projects are also funded with this grant, ensuring safe and affordable drinking water supplies to Iowans.