Kim Reynolds announces major investments in three water quality projects across Iowa from money she didn’t want and was provided by Democrats and Joe Biden

SIOUX CENTER – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced $38 million through Iowa’s Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) to support three water quality and infrastructure projects across Iowa. The WIF is funded by the state of Iowa’s allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”), which was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021.

The WIF grants (President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which Kim Reynolds opposed) are being awarded to three projects in western, central and eastern Iowa and include the creation of new water system infrastructure, expansion of current infrastructure, and dam mitigation efforts for safer water recreation.

“Today’s significant announcement demonstrates our commitment to water quality in Iowa,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Our goal is to build and nurture our communities by investing in infrastructure that promotes healthy and welcoming areas to live, work, and raise a family.  Not only will these three grants enhance our state’s water infrastructure, but they will make significant contributions to economic development.”

In December, Gov. Reynolds announced a historic $100M investment in water infrastructure and water quality efforts for the State of Iowa aimed at reducing excess nutrients, improving public health, promoting reuse of water and wastewater, and providing significant economic benefits to communities and the state.  Today’s grants are a part of that investment, and the awarded projects are listed below:

Up to $11 million will be awarded to the Dyersville East Road Utilities Project at the Field of Dreams site for water distribution and wastewater collection infrastructure. This project will serve 114,000 Iowans across two counties and create approximately 350 jobs.

Up to $15 million will be awarded to the Iowa Confluence (ICON) Water Trails Project in downtown Des Moines to mitigate the dam on Fleur Drive. In addition to removing safety hazards associated with the dam, the mitigation will allow Iowans to enjoy a river run experience on the Raccoon River and lay the groundwork for a recreational destination in the area. The project is expected to create more than 150 jobs and more than $100 million in increased local revenue.

Up to $12 million will be awarded for the expansion of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System. A first-of-its-kind, tri-state drinking water system estimated to benefit 350,000 people living in northwest Iowa, southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota, the project broke ground in 2003. Nearly 20 years later, the system is 86% complete and is awaiting full completion with federal funds. This investment will significantly expand the system’s ability to provide an additional 15 million gallons of water per day to its member communities.