Iowa City, Iowa Closes Vulnerable Wastewater Facility
Iowa City, IA was among the hardest hit communities from the 2008 Iowa River floods. Extensive flooding along the riverfront, including inundation of a major wastewater treatment plant located along the river, prompted the community to take action. Rather than restoring the vulnerable North Wastewater Treatment Plant, Iowa City decided to decommission the plant and expand service at a facility located outside the floodplain (average daily treatment of 9.7 million gallons with a design capacity of 24.2 million gallons per day). Although it did not quantify future climate risks explicitly, Iowa City consciously sought means to reduce the vulnerability of its wastewater services to future extreme storm events – which are projected to increase in the Midwest according to the 2014 National Climate Assessment.
The process to decommission, demolish, and expand wastewater treatment services elsewhere is projected to cost $63 million. By decommissioning the vulnerable wastewater treatment plant and converting the surrounding area into a public greenspace, the city adapts to reduce the threat and impact of future extreme storm events.
How did they do it? |
Applicable EPA Tools |
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Iowa City identified a long-standing vulnerability and adaptation opportunity
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Use the EPA Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) to identify current and future flooding vulnerability. |
Iowa City reduced current and future vulnerability
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Use the Adaptations Strategy Guide and the Flooding Resilience Guide to identify adaptation options for flooding concerns. |
Iowa City secured outside funding
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See how EPA is supporting climate-resilient investments in communities across the country by considering future climate changes in funding mechanisms. Integrating Climate Adaptation into Financial Mechanisms (Intranet) |
Similar Cases and More Information
Iowa City, IA decided to move their facility away from danger. See how Iowa City plans to manage stormwater along the riverfront using green infrastructure and smart growth. To see how a small community utilized EPA tools to determine vulnerability to flooding, view Manchester-by-the-Sea.
- Smart Growth Along the Riverfront Helps Manage Stormwater in Iowa City, Iowa
- Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts Assesses Climate Vulnerability
References
The following links exit the site Exit
- Iowa City Project Application (PDF) (3 pp, 87 K, About PDF)
- Downtown and Riverfront Crossings Master Plan
- North Wastewater Treatment Plant Restoration(44 pp, 2.2 MB)
- Iowa City Wastewater Treatment Plant Relocation (PDF) (10 pp, 853 K)
- Long Term Community Recovery Strategy (PDF)(40 pp, 3.9 MB)