Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced the state will allocate $100 million in federal funds for water quality and conservation investments from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan infrastructure bill. Through a new grant program within the Iowa Finance Authority, $75 million will be allocated for the Water Infrastructure Fund to support projects aimed at reducing excess nutrients, improving drought resiliency, reducing flood risks, improving public health, promoting reuse of water and wastewater, and providing economic benefits to communities and the state. The balance of the funds, $25 million, will be allocated to the Conservation Infrastructure Project at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The Iowa Conservation Infrastructure Project brings together both public and private resources to advance the mission of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. “We recognize the value and importance of water quality and what that means to families, businesses and economic prosperity for our state,” Reynolds said in a press release. “That’s why we remain committed to improving Iowa’s water quality and providing these historic investments to local communities, landowners and organizations that aim to protect, preserve and restore Iowa’s water resources.” The grant application process for Water Infrastructure Fund projects will open Dec. 15; applications will be available at this link.