Editors Contact: Lynn Laws
Communications Director
Iowa Environmental
Council
515-244-1194, x13
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.
-- ><((((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