About ISWEP
Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership (ISWEP) was established in 2005 in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s MS-4 stormwater regulations. ISWEP has focused on supporting effective, compliant local stormwater management programs while delivering unified statewide education and outreach. We aim to streamline stormwater practices across Iowa, ensuring federal compliance while providing resources to help communities protect our water resources.
In January of 2016 the Iowa Stormwater Education Parternship became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Membership
ISWEP’s membership spans across Iowa, including most MS4 cities and universities. Many non-MS4 communities also benefit from our resources to enhance their stormwater management. Additionally, we receive valuable support from professional consulting and engineering firms in the field.
Leadership
Pat Sauer, Executive Director
Pat is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and Certified Professional of Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC). She directs the ISWEP program, oversees the Educational Toolbox Program for MS-4 and education members, organizes and conducts training events, and is involved with the Iowa Stormwater Management Manual Technical Committee.
Loulou Dickey, Incoming Executive Director
Loulou is a water resources scientist and engineer in training, holding a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Water Resources focus) and an M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical focus) from Iowa State University. Her work in consulting, state government, and nonprofit sectors has shaped her understanding of water resource challenges. Drawing on data science and community engagement, her research has focused on urban and agricultural water management while emphasizing environmental and social justice in policymaking. Recent work includes optimizing stormwater practices to mitigate surface water pollution and developing equity-focused decision support tools. As Executive Director of the Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership, she continues her passion for bridging academic research with practical applications to enhance sustainable water management practices across Iowa.