Secretary Naig Announces Urban Water Quality Projects in Kalona, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines

Secretary Naig Announces Urban Water Quality Projects in Kalona, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines

Final four projects bring total 2026 investment in 16 locally led urban water quality projects to more than $10.49 million

DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 9, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the final four urban water quality projects funded in 2026, concluding a strong year of state investments in locally led urban conservation and water quality efforts. The latest projects in Kalona, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines will receive more than $1 million in state cost-share funding from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and generate a total investment of more than $2.8 million.

"Communities across Iowa continue to show what can be accomplished when local leadership, strong partnerships, and proven conservation practices come together," said Secretary Naig. "This year's investments are helping communities of all sizes manage stormwater, reduce nutrient loss, and protect local waterways. These projects put practical solutions to work while demonstrating how conservation and community development can go hand in hand. There is no finish line when it comes to conservation because there is always more work to do. We will continue working alongside communities to build on this momentum and deliver cleaner water for Iowans."

With these latest awards, in addition to the projects announced in May, June, and July, the Department has invested more than $3.63 million in 16 urban water quality projects during 2026. The state investment leverages nearly $6.86 million in matching funds, resulting in $10.49 million invested in urban water quality projects this year. Since the urban conservation program began in 2015, IDALS has awarded more than $21 million in state funding to 154 projects for a combined $79.4 million invested in urban projects.

Urban water quality projects utilize proven conservation practices such as wetlands, bioretention cells, bioswales, permeable pavement, native plantings, stormwater ponds, and more. These practices help capture and treat runoff, reduce flooding risks, improve infiltration, and protect downstream waterways while also enhancing wildlife habitat, expanding recreational opportunities, and improving quality of life in communities across Iowa. To receive state cost-share funding from IDALS, projects must include strong local partnerships as well as education and outreach components that help raise awareness and encourage broader adoption of conservation practices.

Kalona
City of Kalona - Kalona Stormwater Wetland WQI Project
IDALS Investment: $500,000
The City of Kalona is taking an important step toward sustainable growth with its first urban water quality initiative project. A constructed stormwater wetland will manage drainage from agricultural fields and a future residential development, including runoff from up to a 100-year storm event. In addition to improving water quality, the project will incorporate natural recreational paths and interpretive signage to educate residents and visitors. The project demonstrates how communities can integrate conservation with future growth and development.

Cedar Rapids
Linn County Conservation - Stark Settlement Wetland
IDALS Investment: $147,600
Linn County Conservation will construct the Stark Settlement Wetland to provide water quality and wildlife habitat benefits within the Morgan Creek watershed. The wetland will treat runoff from 112 acres of agricultural land while demonstrating how wetlands can reduce non-point source pollution. The surrounding property will be planted with native prairie, and walking trails will provide recreational and educational opportunities for residents and visitors throughout the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area.

Des Moines
City of Des Moines - Waveland Golf Course Pond Improvements
IDALS Investment: $250,000
The City of Des Moines will make improvements to an existing pond at Waveland Golf Course to increase its ability to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Improvements will include excavating and deepening the pond, adding pretreatment features, and establishing native vegetation. The project is part of a multi-phase watershed plan that uses a treatment train of stormwater practices, including golf course nutrient management, to reduce sediment and nutrients before they reach Walnut Creek.

Des Moines
First Unitarian Church of Des Moines - Parking Lot Stormwater Management and Stream Bank Stabilization
IDALS Investment: $106,478
First Unitarian Church of Des Moines will install a combination of urban conservation practices to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality. The project includes bioretention cells to treat parking lot runoff, streambank revegetation, permeable pavers, interpretive signage, and educational outreach. A stream crossing the property conveys runoff from 347 acres of urban drainage into Gray's Lake, an important recreational and habitat area in Central Iowa. The project will demonstrate how nonprofits and other urban property owners can incorporate stormwater management practices that improve water quality.

Learn more about urban conservation in Iowa by visiting CleanWaterIowa.org.