Soil Quality Restoration (SQR) Program

Applications are no longer being accepted at this time. As the contractor completes scheduled work city staff will evaluate if a spring application window will be offered. Please check back or contact Clayton Ender to receive updates. 

The City of Johnston has been awarded $125,000 to implement a citywide soil quality restoration (SQR) program. SQR is the process of decompaction of your yard via deep aeration and adding new organic matter into your yard via compost. Benefits of this practice include increased stormwater infiltration, which improves water quality and soil in our region. These improvements help support grass growth, reduce the need for fertilizers to support lawns, and less irrigation to keep lawns healthy. Property owners within Johnston are eligible to have 50% of the project cost, up to $1,500 maximum, covered by these grant funds. 

The contract for the citywide SQR project has been awarded to Lewis lawn & Labor Inc. The contract establishes a price per square foot of $0.16. Participants in the program would be responsible for $0.08 per square foot for the first 18,750 square feet of SQR application with the grant funds covering the other $0.08 per square foot. Participants are responsible for the full $0.16 per square foot for all SQR application beyond 18,750 square feet. 

Residents may contact Clayton Ender, City Planner, at 515-727-7763 to receive a cost estimate or learn more about this program.

For additional information about Soil Quality Restoration, please visit iowastormwater.org/campaigns/rainscaping/soil-quality-restoration.

A free cost-estimating tool is available to aid residents in deciding if they want to participate in this grant program. This tool will also allow you to submit your interest in participating in the grant program. City staff will contact you if you submit interest to discuss the next steps. Click the button below to be directed to this free cost estimate tool. 

Click the image below to receive an online SQR cost estimate

receive an sqr cost estimate button. Background is green with white lettering.

City staff lead an informational webinar on Wednesday, May 10 about the Citywide Soil Quality Restoration grant program.  This webinar was designed to educate residents about soil quality restoration and the steps to participate in this program to improve their lawn’s health. The meeting began with a brief informational presentation followed by a question-and-answer opportunity. Watch the video below.

City staff and Lewis Lawn and Labor Inc. (contractor for this project) lead an informational on Tuesday, August 1 about the Citywide Soil Quality Restoration grant program.  This webinar was designed to educate residents about soil quality restoration, the steps to participate in this program to improve their lawn’s health, and details regarding work the contractor will perform. The meeting began with a brief informational presentation followed by a question-and-answer opportunity. Watch the video below.

The images below provide the process for SQR.

Image of the process for soil quality restoration. Image is 1200x900
Image of the process of soil quality restoration. Image is 1200x900.
Image of the process of soil quality restoration. Image size is 1200x899.
Image of the process after soil quality restoration is complete. Image size is 1200x900.

Click the image below to view a PDF to learn more about the SQR program.

SQR Water Bill Insert graphic document