With a half-finished overhaul of its water pollution control facility and millions already invested, a state grant will lower the city’s debt and ease pressure on ratepayers.

As concerns of water quality in central Iowa rise, Ames residents do not need to worry about the safety of their great-tasting water supply. High levels of nitrate were found in the water supply that comes from the Des Moines and Racoon rivers this summer. Ames was not included in communities affected by the ban, but questions regarding water safety in the city have been raised.