Wisconsin County Awards $700,000 to Communities for Lake Clean-up

Oct. 16, 2020

Dane County, Wisconsin will grant two local projects more than $700,000.

Dane County, Wisconsin will grant two local projects more than $700,000 as part of the county's Urban Water Quality Grant Program, according to a press release.

According to WKOW, the selected projects in the City of Monona and the City of Verona directly address urban runoff and help clean and reduce storm water volume to area lakes.

The program will assist municipalities in constructing storm water management facilities that reduce storm water volume and capture trash and phosphorus-laden debris, such as yard and pet waste, from washing directly into lakes and streams during heavy rain or snow melts.

Dane County will award $206,150 to the City of Monona for its Underground Pond project at Stonebridge Park, reported WKOW. The full project is expected to cost $412,300 and Dane County will also award $500,000 to the City of Verona for its Lincoln Street Storm Water Facility project. The full project is expected to cost $2,070,000.

“The Urban Water Quality Grant Program allows us to partner with local communities to achieve the shared goal of cleaning up our lakes,” said County Executive Parisi in a news release. “Our waterways are incredibly valuable resources and an integral part of our quality of life. We are happy to partner with this year’s recipients and improve the quality of our waters.”

The Urban Water Quality Grant Program has helped fund projects totaling almost $10 million since its conception in 2005. These aforementioned projects have removed an estimated more than a half million pounds of debris and more than 2,000 pounds of phosphorus annually. One pound of phosphorus removed from the county’s watersheds prevents up to 500 pounds of algae growth in area lakes.

A resolution to approve the awards will be introduced to the Dane County Board at an Oct. 15 meeting.

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Cristina Tuser