For Immediate Release Contact: Kimberly Steenhoek

Thursday, March 16, 2006 (515) 281-6571

Senate Approves Bipartisan Water Quality Legislation

Compromise bill improves standards while factoring impact on cities, taxpayers

DES MOINES – The Senate today voted 48 to 0 in favor of bipartisan legislation (SF 2363) to improve the quality of Iowa’s waterways while ensuring there is not undue cost to municipalities and taxpayers.

The bill does not undo the water quality rules approved this week to bring Iowa into compliance with the 1972 federal Clean Water Act. Instead, the bill is aimed at providing direction to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as it implements the new pollution limits for cities and businesses that are seeking or renewing sewage permits.

The legislation represents a compromise between the environmental regulators who sought the higher limits, and municipalities, rural interests and business groups, which argued the standards were unnecessarily burdensome and would be costly to taxpayers.

“Many different groups came to the table to work on this bill and the result is a good piece of public policy that addresses Iowa’s water quality issues,” said Sen. Mary Lundby (R-Marion), who helped manage the bill through the Senate. “I’ve always said that in my lifetime I want to achieve higher water quality in Iowa, and this bill is a good first step.”

The bill requires the DNR to use credible data and specified criteria, such as water flow rates and aquatic habitats, when designating waterways that are subject to the higher pollution standards. Streams not meeting these criteria would be subject to a different set of standards under the legislation.

The legislation also requires the DNR to conduct an economic analysis before designating higher pollution standards for a waterway. The analysis would determine the financial and social impact of the standards on a municipality. If the study finds the standards would have a substantial and widespread impact on the city, the DNR would work with local officials on reasonable improvements.

Another provision in the bill creates a 16-member water quality standards advisory committee. Committee members would work with local groups to improve voluntary water quality efforts and consult with the DNR on future water-quality regulations. The committee will report to the Legislature its recommendations on a voluntary statewide water quality program by June 30, 2008.

The bill also establishes a wastewater treatment financial assistance program through the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The program would offer grants, low-interest loans and no interest loans to small communities that want to upgrade their water treatment systems. Lundby said the funding for the program will be included in separate legislation.

“This bill is not only good for water quality in Iowa, but it will also be a tremendous help to the cities and businesses that are working to attain these pollution standards,” said Lundby. “Without this bill, our water quality rules would not be as carefully defined as we need them to be.”

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