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

[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 http://www.iaenvironment.org.

 

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  ><((((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