I would like to add to the note previously sent to you -- 
 
 
Last summer when we approved the Notice of Intended Action for changing
Iowa’s water quality standards, I asked DNR why they didn’t consider
alternative technologies when they did their original needs study for
the water quality standards regulations.  The response was that they
didn’t have the staff to work on it, so they went for the “worst case
scenario”.  The result has been that the sewer lobbyists have turned the
original estimates into a call for action, claiming it will cost
“billions” to upgrade.  This study noted below says $360 million.  That
is still a lot of money, but a long way from “billions”.
 
The sewer lobbyists have used the original needs study to influence our
Legislators to draft a bill meddling in the process.  The federal Clean
Water Act is a very important law and would be protective of our surface
waters if implemented properly and enforced adequately.  We have
sufficient laws for clean water.  Now we just need to do the job.
 
A couple days ago, you received a Sierra Club email asking you to
contact your Legislators and tell them to oppose SF2363 and to allow the
rules promulgated by the DNR to take effect.  I ask you again to make
those contacts.  And don’t forget a note to the Governor’s office as
well.
 
This is just the start.  A proper stream designation does not mean clean
water in that stream.   But we’ll never get to clean water if we won’t
even admit that our streams need protecting.
 
Action today could make a difference!
 
Thanks,
Donna Buell
Commissioner, Iowa Environmental Protection Commission
 
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Debbie Neustadt
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 2:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Clean Water Not so Expensive After all
 
Editors Contact: Lynn Laws
Communications Director
Iowa Environmental Council  
515-244-1194, x13
HYPERLINK "mailto:[log in to unmask]"[log in to unmask] 
 
March 8, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Clean Water Not so Expensive After all
 
An engineering study has found that the cost to comply with water
quality rules could cost less than half of what was previously
estimated. 
 
In 2005, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) developed new
water quality rules that would bring Iowa into compliance with federal
law and clean up wastewater entering streams and rivers. The impact of
this rule making action will be tighter pollution limits for an
estimated 411 wastewater treatment facilities. Facilities will need to
be upgraded for ammonia removal and/or disinfection of bacteria. Excess
ammonia harms aquatic life; excess bacteria can cause serious health
problems in humans.
 
An estimate of the cost of implementing the new rules was developed in
August, 2005 in a Fiscal Impact Statement prepared by IDNR. They
estimated total costs for the 411 facilities to come into compliance
would range between $790,266,000 and $955,879,000. 
 
This month, a civil engineering firm, Foth & Van Dyke, was retained by
the Iowa Environmental Council to evaluate lower cost alternatives to
achieve compliance with the new regulations and see what the impact
would be on the overall cost. In a report, released today, they found
that modifying existing processes rather than installing new processes
can be less costly to install and operate, and would bring total costs
to $363,651,000, half of what it would cost if these methods were not
used. 
 
Rich Leopold, executive director for the Iowa Environmental Council,
says the DNR estimates are largely based on having to build new
mechanical systems to improve wastewater treatment. That’s not
necessary, says Leopold.
 
“Many communities may not need to install brand new processes.
Retrofitting existing facilities may achieve the same results at a much
lower cost. The study proves this.” Leopold said.
 
Leopold says the processes outlined in the study are not used widely in
Iowa now, but are in other states.
 
“We know they [the processes] work. They’re low-cost, low-tech, proven
technologies.”
 
Leopold says costs could be even less if alternative technologies such
as fill and draw lagoon systems are considered. Alternative processes
and their costs will be investigated in a future, second-phase of the
study.  
 
The Foth and Van Dyke report is available online at HYPERLINK
"http://www.iaenvironment.org/"http://www.iaenvironment.org. 
 



-- 
  ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>
Deborah Neustadt
Des Moines, IA
Sierra Club
Water Committee, Chair
Wildlife and Endangered Species Committee, Member
Iowa Chapter, Executive Committee Member, Political Chair
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