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News Releases from Region 07

Iowa State University Receives $800,000 EPA Grant to Research Economic Measurements Linked to Water Quality Improvements

09/20/2016
Contact Information: 
Chris Whitley (whitley.christopher@epa.gov)
913-551-7394

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

image of Iowa State University logo(Lenexa, Kan., Sept. 20, 2016) - Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, is one of just six U.S. universities to receive EPA research grant funding for a project to better quantify the economic values of improved water quality, which will help decision makers consider the benefits of investments in water quality improvement efforts.

An EPA research grant of $800,000, announced today by EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) in Washington, will fund efforts by ISU to quantify the value of water quality improvements in Midwestern ecosystems. The ISU grant is part of a $4.8 million package of grants being issued to six universities across the country.

“Clean water is a cornerstone of a healthy community. Many communities face challenging decisions about investing in the protection of water resources,” said Thomas Burke, EPA science advisor and ORD deputy assistant administrator. “These grants will help measure the costs and benefits of improving water quality, an important step toward protecting the environment and human health.”

Five other institutions besides ISU will receive research grants as part of the overall project: Clark University, of Worcester, Mass.; Dartmouth College, of Hanover, N.H.; University of Connecticut, of Storrs, Conn.; North Carolina State University at Raleigh, of Raleigh, N.C.; and Michigan State University, of East Lansing, Mich.

Chemical and microbial contaminants continue to reduce the quality of our water – and often at a rate that outpaces water quality improvements from regulatory actions. The research grants announced today will help communities and experts conduct benefit-cost analyses for actions that protect our waterways.

This research will also provide a critical link between water quality science and the monetary value of the services that healthy waterways provide, including recreational uses.

Learn more about these and other EPA water research grants online.

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