Northwest Iowa communities and organizations can apply for state assistance to help fund conservation projects that manage stormwater, protect local waterways, and reduce flooding risks.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced last week that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is accepting pre-applications for urban water quality cost-share grants. The program is open to communities of all sizes, with state funding available to cover up to 50 percent of eligible project costs.
Pre-applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, November 6.
Projects Target Stormwater Runoff
Eligible conservation practices include wetlands, bioretention cells, bioswales, permeable pavement, native plantings, and stormwater ponds. These features help capture and treat runoff, allow water to soak into the ground, and protect downstream waterways.
Streets, rooftops, and parking lots cannot absorb rainfall. Water running off those surfaces can carry pollutants into storm drains and eventually into streams and lakes. Urban conservation practices help manage that runoff while potentially creating wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
“Communities – big and small – have been putting proven conservation practices to work to improve water quality across Iowa since 2015,” Naig said. “From managing stormwater to reducing nutrient loss and protecting local waterways, these locally led projects help improve water quality and mitigate urban flooding.”
The projects support implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include cities, counties, county conservation boards, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, other units of government, eligible nonprofit organizations, public water supply utilities, and watershed management authorities.
The department says successful proposals should demonstrate strong local partnerships, sound technical design, and the ability to efficiently complete projects. Proposals should also incorporate education and outreach to encourage broader use of urban conservation practices.
Potential applicants must schedule a meeting with a department Urban Conservationist, who can assist with project development, design guidance, budgets, and application preparation.
For Northwest Iowa, the department lists Kaitlyn Wagner in Storm Lake as a regional contact at 712-732-3096, extension 309. Applicants can also contact statewide Urban Conservation Program Coordinator Ann Seda at 515-401-4908 or Ann.Seda@iowaagriculture.gov.
Applicants selected to submit full applications will be notified by December 18, 2026. Full applications are due February 12, 2027.
State and Local Investments
The department reported investing more than $3.63 million in 16 urban water quality projects during 2026, drawing nearly $6.86 million in matching funds for a total investment of $10.49 million.
Since the program began in 2015, the department has awarded more than $21 million in state funding to 154 projects. Combined with local public and private contributions, those projects represent $79.4 million in urban water quality investments across Iowa.
