Environmental Business Assistance Portal
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Financial Assistance
There are several water quality financial assistance programs available to meet compliance requirements.
State Revolving Fund (SRF)
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) administers the Iowa SRF which provides low interest loans for drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure improvements and non-point source water quality projects. Borrowers save money on their financing costs because the SRF provides below market interest rates.
Community Development Block Grants
The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) administers federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through the Water/Sewer fund which are available annually for public water and wastewater facilities for cities under 50,000, counties and non-profit organizations, specifically engineering fees, land acquisition and construction. CDBG funds must assist where financial need is the greatest, replacing inadequate infrastructure or extending service and helping the project proceed to completion in a timely manner. A CDBG can be used in conjunction with other funding sources, such as Iowa SRF or USDA. Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis and are normally due in December with award decisions announced in March.
Environmental Finance Center
Boise State University is the site of the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) for EPA Region 10. Nine universities in the United States have been designated EFCs by EPA to help states and regulated entities manage environmental mandates required by federal law. On October 1, 2007, a satellite operation for EPA Region 7 was established to serve Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
Wastewater Treatment and Financial Assistance
The Iowa Finance Authority administers a program that provides grants to communities who have been adversely affected by recent changes in the water quality standards. The grants may be used to construct or upgrade wastewater treatment facilities. Communities who apply must be less than 3,000 in population and meet the current disadvantaged community criteria. A disadvantaged community is defined as fifty-one percent of the community’s population is documented in having low to moderate income.
Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB)
WIRB is an independent, self-governing board (administratively attached to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship) which awards water quality improvement grants. Grants may be used to address, but are not limited to, municipal discharge, stormwater runoff, unsewered communities, industrial discharge, agricultural runoff and drainage, stream bank erosion and livestock runoff.
Onsite Wastewater Systems Assistance
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) administers the Onsite Wastewater Systems Assistance Program. This program funds the replacement of outdated septic systems with approved onsite systems. Approved systems include both a septic tank and a secondary treatment system such as a leachfield. Eligible applicants include homeowners in unincorporated areas of Iowa not served by a public sewer. (The program cannot be used for new homes under construction.). The program is also available in counties which have a IDNR-approved environmental health program. Loan amount can be up to 100% of the project costs. The minimum loan amount is $2,000, with no maximum, and loan terms can be up to 10 years.
Water and Environmental Programs
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development provides loans, grants and guarantees for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities in rural areas, cities and towns of 10,000 people or less. Public bodies, nonprofit organizations, special purpose districts and recognized Indian tribes may quality for assistance. All applications must be unable to obtain funds from other sources at reasonable rates and terms.