Environment
- By 2010, eliminate all impaired waterways.
Number of Impaired waterways
Water quality index of Iowa streams
Loans for community water quality improvement
projects
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MEASURE:
Number of impaired waterways.
Data Source: Department of Natural Resources
Updated 11/21/06
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Why
this is important:
Stream segments, lakes, and wetlands that are
known to exceed one or more water quality standards are
placed
on the impaired waters list. Restoration of impaired waters
increases the use of those water resources and raises the
value of those
resources
to Iowans
and local communities.
What we're doing about this:
Beginning in 2007, DNR will be developing restoration plans
based on Iowa priorities. This should help
us find communities interested in restoring their local
waters so they may gain the benefits of improved water
quality. To achieve success, it is essential that DNR find
local watershed partners, as well as other federal and
state partners, and that we work together to plan and implement
water improvement plans.
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MEASURE:
Water quality index of Iowa streams.
Data Source: Department of Natural Resources
Updated 11/21/06
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Why
this is important:
Good water quality is necessary for business, industrial
and domestic uses, and an integral part of many quality-of-life
pursuits that are so important to helping Iowa grow and
flourish. The water quality index combines eight important
physical, chemical and biological parameters and creates
an integrated focus on overall water quality conditions
and trends.
What we're doing about this:
The Iowa Water Quality Index reveals the need to improve
Iowa's stream water quality across the state. DNR is seeking
to establish priorities for the restoration of selected
lakes, coldwater streams, warm water streams, wetlands,
and vulnerable aquifers. Together with local leadership,
these targeted watersheds will demonstrate the improvements
we could be making everywhere.
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MEASURE:
Number of Iowans Benefiting from
State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loans
Data Source: Iowa Finance Authority, State Revolving Fund
Updated 7/30/07
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Why
this is important:
Many Iowa communities have water quality needs, but
lack the financial resources to address them. The Iowa
Finance Authority (IFA) provides the lowest cost funds
for drinking water and wastewater facilities in Iowa. This
program, known as the State Revolving Fund (SRF), receives
federal/EPA grants that allow for low-interest loans to
help communities affordably build or update water facilities.
This saves money on citizens' water and sewer bills.
What we're doing about this:
IFA and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources jointly
administer the State Revolving Fund that aids the construction
and rehabilitation of Clean Water and Drinking Water infrastructure
facilities. In an effort to encourage more communities
to use the SRF, IFA launched marketing initiatives in FY06
designed to increase awareness of the program. Also,
IFA has introduced new Planning & Design (P&D)
Loans that offer zero percent interest for up to three
years
as interim
financing for the first phases of developing a water facility.
In FY07, IFA will exceed its goal of approving $10 million
in P & D loans. Nearly $17 million in P & D loans were
approved in FY07. The loans may be rolled into a SFR construction
loan or can be repaid when permanent financing is committed.
For 4th quarter 2007, 17 SFT loans closed totaling more
than $17 million and 13 Planning and Design loans closed
totaling over $4.1 million. As a result of the 4th quarter
loan closings, over 186,000 Iowans will benefit from improvements
to their drinking water and waste water infrastructures.
In total 487,000 Iowans saw an improvement to their water
infrastructures in FY2007.
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