US Edition5 Takeaways From Iowa Water Quality Report that Points to Agriculture as Nitrates Source
POLK COUNTY, IOWA, AUG 5 – A two-year study found 80% of nitrate pollution in Polk County rivers comes from agriculture, with levels among the highest nationwide, prompting calls for stronger regulation.
- On Monday night at Drake University's campus, 16 researchers hosted by the Harkin Institute and Polk County presented the CISWRA report, accepted last month, on water quality issues.
- According to CISWRA findings, the report shows threats to Polk County's water system stem from human activities, with about 80% from agricultural land, 40% from fertilizers, and 20% from manure.
- Data shows the Raccoon River and Des Moines River each year receive about 50,000 tons of nitrogen, as researcher Elliot Anderson indicated.
- Consequently, Central Iowa Water Works, serving over 600,000 people, issued a water consumption ban due to nitrate levels surpassing 10 mg per liter.
- Amid funding reductions, the state will contract its nitrate monitoring network from about 80 sensors to about 20 next year, researchers warn it will limit data.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Hundreds attend first public forum discussing findings from Des Moines, Raccoon river water quality study
DES MOINES, Iowa -- In 2023, the Polk County Board of Supervisors commissioned the most comprehensive water quality study on the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. Last month, the Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment (CISWRA) was published - right in the midst of unprecedented watering bans due to high nitrates in the rivers. Iowa farmers battle Southern Rust, Tar Spot epidemic On Monday night, the first public panel of the report was…
Large crowd attends public review of central Iowa water quality research - Radio Iowa
A group of researchers drew strong reactions from a large crowd in Des Moines as they reviewed their report on water quality in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. Jerald Schnorr, a long time professor in the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering, said data from 2000 U.S. rivers indicates these two Iowa rivers are […]
Solving Iowa’s ‘nitrate crisis’ will take state, local efforts, water quality experts suggest
Nitrate levels in some of the state’s waterways are among the highest in the nation, as a recent study finds Iowa’s agriculture industry is the source for majority of the nitrogen.
Cherokee Tribune Ledger News
Hundreds gather for presentation on Polk County water quality report
More than 500 individuals gathered Monday to hear what comes next following the release of an in-depth water quality report commissioned by Polk County. Another 500 watched online, to hear years worth of research on water pollutants and key steps…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
