FYI
Cece
on 3/9/06 7:29 AM, Donna Buell at [log in to unmask] wrote:

Last summer when we approved the Notice of Intended Action for changing
Iowa¹s water quality standards, I asked DNR why they didn¹t consider
alternative technologies when they did their original needs study for the
water quality standards regulations.  The response was that they didn¹t have
the staff to work on it, so they went for the ³worst case scenario².  The
result has been that the sewer lobbyists have turned the original estimates
into a call for action, claiming it will cost ³billions² to upgrade.  This
study noted below says $360 million.  That is still a lot of money, but a
long way from ³billions².

 

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 don¹t forget a note to the Governor¹s office as well.

 

This is just the start.  A proper stream designation does not mean clean
water in that stream.   But we¹ll never get to clean water if we won¹t 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 

[log in to unmask] <mailto:[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. That¹s not necessary, says Leopold.

 

³Many 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.² Leopold said.

 

Leopold says the processes outlined in the study are not used widely in Iowa
now, but are in other states.

 

³We know they [the processes] work. They¹re low-cost, low-tech, proven
technologies.² 

 

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
http://www.iaenvironment.org <http://www.iaenvironment.org/> .

 



--   ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>Deborah NeustadtDes Moines,
IASierra ClubWater Committee, ChairWildlife and Endangered Species
Committee, MemberIowa Chapter, Executive Committee Member, Political Chair
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