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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Senator Tom Harkin and the City of Ottumwa informed KTVO Tuesday that the city has been awarded at $12 million grant.

Below is the press release from Senator Harkin's Office.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that the City of Ottumwa has been awarded $12,166,575 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP.)  The funding will be used to design and construct a protective flood wall around the water treatment plant and separate the sewer and storm water systems.

Harkin was the chief sponsor of legislation that greatly expanded FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs following the floods of 1993.  That law and its modifications greatly increased the amount of dollars available based on the level of FEMA disaster payments from natural disasters including the 2008 Midwest floods.

“This funding will allow the City of Ottumwa to safeguard its residents and infrastructure against future flooding including particular protection for the city’s water supply,” said Harkin.  “Mitigation efforts such as this project preserve the health and safety of Iowans and ensure that critical facilities like hospitals have the resources they need in the event of an emergency.  I congratulate the City on this award.”

In addition to the protective flood wall, the funds will be used to build a storm water pump station, separate the currently combined storm and septic sewer system, and update gate well structures in the existing levee that will convey overland storm water in to the Des Moines River.  Design and construction are expected to take about 3 years.