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
Loulou Dickey, 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.
Pat Sauer, Founder and Strategic Advisor
Pat founded ISWEP in 2005 and has been instrumental in growing the organization into a statewide leader in stormwater management, now serving 75 members across Iowa. Under her leadership, ISWEP developed comprehensive certification and training programs, along with an extensive library of resources supporting municipalities and stormwater professionals. A Certified Professional Soil Scientist, Pat continues to support ISWEP in an advisory role, contributing her expertise to the Educational Toolbox Program, training events, and the Iowa Stormwater Management Manual Technical Committee.