Twelve urban water quality projects will receive funding from the state’s Water Quality Initiative, Mike Naig, Iowa’s secretary of agriculture announced today. The announcement comes as the state kicks off Soil and Water Conservation Week. The funding will provide financial and technical assistance to communities and organizations that are using urban water quality practices to manage stormwater. To receive state funding, the urban water quality projects must include outreach and education components and local partners to support the projects, which include water quality practices like bioretention cells, bioswales, native plantings, permeable pavers, rain gardens, soil quality restoration and wetlands. The state Agriculture Department is investing more than $1 million to support the projects. Nearly $7 million is being contributed by other public or private partners, according to a news release. Four of the projects receiving funds are in Central Iowa. They are:

• Greenbelt Landing Stormwater Wetland, Clive – $100,000.
• Prairie Pointe Park Stormwater Management Retrofit, Elkhart – $125,000.
• Polk City Soil Quality Restoration Program, Polk City – $50,000.
• Crossroads Park Improvement Project, West Des Moines – $100,000.