Northey checks out Monona pool parking lot
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey (far right) visited Monona Aug. 4 to inspect the city’s pool parking lot. Installed last August, the parking lot was laid with concrete permeable pavers, which fit together like Tetris pieces, collecting the water that flows through the paver cracks in order to control its release. Speaking with Northey about the project are (left to right) Northeast Iowa RC&D Executive Director Lora Friest, Eric Palas with the Clayton SWCD and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, councilman Dan Havlicek, mayor Barb Collins and city administrator Dan Canton. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey visited Monona Aug. 4 to inspect the city’s pool parking lot. Installed last August, the parking lot was laid with concrete permeable pavers, which fit together like Tetris pieces, collecting the water that flows through the paver cracks in order to control its release.
The previous gravel lot left no control of water on rainy days, whereas the water will now go through the pavers’ joints and discharge at a slower rate. This is helpful in controlling water release to the Turkey River watershed, of which Monona is a part.
The project was funded by the interest from the city’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan for the wastewater project, essentially allowing Monona to complete two projects for the price of one. The use of interest funds is a new concept for the SRF, and Monona was the first community to complete a project.
Northey commended the project, which he stopped to see on his way to a Farm Bureau meeting in Waukon, and said he looks forward to seeing the city’s next planned use of permeable pavers on nearby Bulldog Boulevard.
