Davenport Gets Federal Funds to Handle Stormwater Overflows

On the weekend, crews in Davenport and the whole Quad-City area battled flooding brought by the remnants of Hurricane Ike, now a tropical depression.

About two feet of water accumulated on most of the downtown streets.

The West Side Diversion Tunnel Project will construct three miles of new sanitary sewer on Davenport's west side to help to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows.

During major storms, some 60 homes in the area just to the north of West High School experience sewer backup problems.

Awarding the grant, EPA Region 7 Administrator John Askew said, "EPA is proud to award the City of Davenport with these water infrastructure funds, which will help to prolong the life of existing systems. Water infrastructure is a lifeline for community health and prosperity."

Construction will start at the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad track between U.S. Highway 61 and the Mississippi River and terminate on the uplands along Duck Creek.

The sewer diversion tunnel has been in the city's master plan since 2001. The biggest hurdle to completing the project has been cost.

The current estimate is $45 million, which means it cannot be done without federal and state dollars.

But the return on this investment could be substantial, opening northwest Davenport to new development and lightening the load in the city's existing sewer system.

The new sanitary sewer installation could open up 5,800 acres for new residential development, 3,200 acres for industrial development and 400 acres for commercial development.

The west-side sewer diversion tunnel is listed as the most important infrastructure improvement by most Davenport candidates in the upcoming elections.

The current 10 member city council has been divided over whether the city's responsibility is to provide basic services or provide amenities.

The project also will improve water quality in the Mississippi River and improve habitat for bald eagles, blue herons, migratory waterfowl and the endangered Higgins Eye clam.

The West Side Diversion Tunnel Project will help the city achieve the goals of RiverVision, a far-reaching, participatory waterfront development plan for both Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Ilinois, across the river.

The RiverVision plan provides a coordinated framework for channeling development and configuring urban public open space to enhance and improve the quality of living in both Davenport and Rock Island.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.