Editors Contact: Lynn Laws

Communications Director

Iowa Environmental Council 

515-244-1194, x13

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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 http://www.iaenvironment.org.

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Deborah Neustadt
Des Moines, IA
Sierra Club
Water Committee, Chair
Wildlife and Endangered Species Committee, Member
Iowa Chapter, Executive Committee Member, Political Chair