Reynolds signs water quality bill, her first as governor

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a $282 million water quality bill Wednesday, calling the legislation a "monumental step forward."

"With the science-backed Nutrient Reduction Strategy as our road map ... we’re going to continue to charge forward with our water quality efforts," Reynolds said, surrounded by supporters of the effort. "Together we have the opportunity to modernize Iowa’s agricultural infrastructure, create jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities (and) promote collaboration between urban and rural communities."

More: Key achievement or drop in bucket? What $282 million water quality bill means for Iowans

The bill, which is the first Reynolds signed as governor, will allocate an estimated $282 million to water quality initiatives over the next 12 years.

That money comes from an existing tax on metered drinking water, which currently flows into the state's general fund, as well as gambling revenue, which currently is used to pay off bonds and otherwise would flow into the state's building and infrastructure fund.

The bill establishes a water quality infrastructure fund within the state's Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. That fund will be used to support conservation infrastructure on agricultural land, including things like wetlands, bioreactors, saturated buffers, terraces and waterways.

The bill also creates a revolving fund through the treasurer's office focused on water quality initiatives for cities and utilities.

"But I want to just assure everyone that the water quality discussion is not over," Reynolds said. "Rather, we’re going to take this opportunity to build on the momentum of the passage of Senate File 512, and those conversations have already begun."

The Iowa Senate last year passed Senate File 512, keeping it alive for consideration in the House this year. The House voted last week 59 to 41 along mostly party lines to send it to the governor for her signature.

More: After years-long debate, water quality legislation is headed to the governor

Former Gov. Terry Branstad ignited legislative debate on water quality in 2016 as Iowans were grappling with the fallout of a lawsuit launched by the Des Moines Water Works, which claimed rural farming practices were threatening the city's drinking water.

Legislation has been advancing through the statehouse in various forms since then, creating sharp political divides that threatened to end in gridlock.

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Though the signing marks a clear victory for Reynolds, who is seeking election to her first term as governor in November, a number of water quality and environmental advocates have been sharply critical of the bill.

Des Moines Water Works CEO Bill Stowe previously told The Register he believes it will do "nothing at all" to meaningfully address water quality problems.

"It’s taking public money and sprinkling it across the state without any real requirements for results," he said. "So, no, we see nothing favorable in the legislation."