Elliott completes water project
ELLIOTT — Cleaner drinking water is just one of the upsides to the now complete wetlands restoration project in the City of Elliott.
During 2008, an Iowa Department of Natural Resources investigation revealed high levels of nitrate running through the City’s water supply, likely because of the widespread agricultural use of fertilizers.
A team of 21 city officials, landowners and environmental agents was compiled to come up with a lasting, cost efficient solution, and Thursday, six years later, that mission was completed with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Elliott Source Water Protection and Wetland/Greenspace Project.
Former Elliott Mayor Stephen Howell, said the team explored various options, such as building a denitrification facility to improve the City’s well water, but they all came with a high price tag.
Further testing by Dan Cook, a Source Water Protection investigator from the DNR, revealed a natural solution to filter the water.
Land east of Elliott’s wells had been a wetland prior to being drained for farming many years ago; east of that area, wetlands remained intact.
“Groundwater samples taken from the west side of the nearby wetland showed little to no nitrate, even though the general soil conditions on its east side were similar t those at the Elliott well,” Cook said.
Through land donations and sales from the school district and area farmers, 22 acres east of the City well has been restored to a wetland with a native grass buffer.
Over time, the wetland will naturally reduce nitrate in the groundwater because of the low oxygen levels and carbon present from decaying plants.
“Year after year, wetlands are getting torn down for farming land or development; wetlands have greatly diminished,” National Park Service representative Brian Leaders said. “So to create this natural environment that also improves water quality is really something to be proud of.”
Numerous local, state and federal agencies contributed to the $325,000 project through grants and donations, resulting in no cost to the city.
“Not every community could pull off this type of project,” private consultant to the project, Shirley Frederiksen said. “There has been so much cooperation and collaboration here; it’s really special. This is a huge success story for Elliott.”
While its first purpose was to improve water quality, the wetland site turned into much more. Located just north of the Elliott Elementary School at 305 1st St., the 22 acres also contain an outdoor classroom shelter, interactive trail and human sundial.
“Our students are so lucky to have this experience of learning how to protect and appreciate their natural resources to ensure quality drinking water,” Montgomery County Naturalist Deb Karwal said. “A short walk will take them back into Iowa’s history, and they can observe native creatures. These kids will grow up to love their environment.”
Karwal, and Griswold School Superintendent Dana Kunze, said the students are anxious to learn hands-on in the outdoors. Educational opportunities vary from wildlife viewing with a bird feeding station and telescope to water testing for environmental sciences.
“This is really wonderful,” Kunze said at Thursday’s event, which students from Elliott Elementary attended. “Students, this is going to be a great classroom not only because of the wetlands but because of all these wonderful adults. These adults didn’t just settle for a common answer to a problem. They were able to use nature to benefit us all. We are going to love this for a long, long time.”