Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced more than $8 million in grants to advance water quality projects in 18 Iowa communities. The funding is made available through the Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program. Winterset and Story City each received a $500,000 grant. Winterset will use the grant toward a $35,365,000 clean water project; Story City’s grant will support its $22,500,000 drinking water project. The program receives a portion of the tax on metered water, according to a news release. The program’s priorities included disadvantaged communities, communities with the highest sewer or water rates as well as projects that will significantly improve water quality in their watershed; use alternative wastewater treatment technologies; use technology to address nutrient reduction; or address improvements to drinking water sources. A committee with representatives from the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship judged the applications.  Grants will be awarded through the program on an annual basis through 2039. To view the full list of grant recipients, click here.