Spillville Source Water Protection

To help protect drinking water, the Winneshiek Soil and Water Conservation District is prioritizing conservation efforts in areas that can also benefit source water protection. Nitrate fertilizers and bacteria are common surface water impairments that can also impact the quality of our drinking water. By targeting conservation efforts around communities, we can help ensure safe drinking water can be maintained without costly municipal upgrades.

In 2023 the Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development in partnership with the Winneshiek SWCD and the Community of Spillville secured an Underserved Farmer to Farmer grant funded through the Iowa DNR and EPA entitled Spillville Source Water Protection Initiative. The grant will be used to investigate and better protect one of the municipal wells that is considered high risk for contamination due to shallow depth and aquifer characteristics. Funding will be used to seek consultation on well water protection strategies, plug old community wells, fund urban conservation practices to ensure safe drinking water can be maintained in the community.

In addition, conservation efforts are being targeted in the Wonder Creek Watershed since Wonder Creek flows through the well’s capture zone. The grant also provides funding for septic system upgrades in the watershed, along with incentive payments for nitrate reduction practices including woodchip bioreactors, saturated buffers, and wetlands.

Practice Cost-Share and Incentives

Septic upgrades

• Landowners in the Wonder Creek Watershed can receive 50% cost-share not to exceed $5k for septic upgrades that meet county sanitarian specifications.

Saturated Buffers and Woodchip Bioreactors

• Saturated Buffers and Woodchip Bioreactors are typically fully funded through NRCS and IDALS cost-share programs. Landowners in the Wonder Creek Watershed are eligible to receive an additional $500 per tile line treated with either of these practices.

Wetlands

• Wetlands are typically fully funded through NRCS and IDALS cost-share programs. Landowners in the Wonder Creek Watershed are eligible to receive an additional $1000 incentive payment for installing a wetland that treats tile water on their property.

For More Information

Contact Matt Frana at matt.frana@ia.nacdnet.net or call (563) 382-4352 x3