27 July 2010

The city of Ankeny has budgeted $10,000 for a stormwater best management practices cost-share program.  This program is an innovative approach to controlling stormwater quality and quantity impacts caused by stormwater runoff.

The program is intended to help cover the cost of materials and/or contractor labor to install such practices.  The city of Ankeny will provide a 50% match on BMPs, up to $1,000.  Rain barrels will be funded at 50% with a maximum of $75.  Funding is available to applicants on a first-come basis and is subject to the approval of the Municipal Utilities staff and director.

“This program allows citizens to directly impact to the water quality and quantity in Ankeny and downstream of Ankeny.  It also promotes environmental stewardship and community pride,” said Amy Bryant, environmental engineer with the city of Ankeny.

Stormwater is the water that runs off impervious surfaces from rain, snow melt, and surface drainage.  Impervious surfaces are hard surfaces where water is unable to soak or infiltrate into the ground including paved streets, driveways, and roof tops.

The goal of this program is to encourage individual landowners and businesses to incorporate stormwater best management practices, or BMPs, on their property to aid in the improvement and protection of water quality.  Some BMPs include rain gardens/bioretention cells, rain barrels, and native planting buffers/swales.

For more information, visit our website at www.ankenyiowa.gov.  If you have any questions, please contact Amy Bryant at 515.963.3520, extension 4408 or ABryant@AnkenyIowa.gov