18 Water Quality in Iowa
The state of Iowa’s water quality affects around 3.2 million Iowans daily (source). Specifically, through forms of potable water supply, and recreation, as well as in Iowa’s largest industry sectors such as agriculture and food processing. Water quality is the measure of suitability through physical, chemical, and biological characteristics (source). States, territories, and authorized tribes are granted autonomy over determining and setting water quality criteria and standards that will then have to be ultimately approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA) In general, water quality standards and policies can be divided into two categories: state and federal. Nationwide policies additionally play a role in how water quality is set and determined. For instance, the Clean Water Act of 1972 curated the set of rules used to regulate pollutants and quality standards (EPA). That being said, if water quality standards in Iowa are not in accordance with the Clean Water Act standards the EPA is allowed and will step in and revise the water quality standards. (EPA) This is also allowed if the EPA generally disapproves of the standards when first designed and created by the state. (EPA)
Additionally, presidential goals, agendas, and initiatives can be another type of enforcer for maintaining suitable water quality nationwide. Under support from the Biden Administration in 2024, the EPA was able to enforce drinking water standards for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances known as PFA’s. (EPA). PFAs are considered “long-lasting chemicals” and due to their “persistence in the environment…found in blood” leading to negative and adverse health effects on humans and animals. (EPA) Unfortunately, research is limited about PFA’s and many questions still need to be answered regarding removal, health effects, and success of prevention measures. (EPA) In April of 2024, the Iowa House rejected a ruling that would require “commercial fertilizers or soil conditioners to disclose to buyers the results of testing for PFA chemicals” (source). PFA’s can affect agriculture when water or soil is contaminated from fertilizer or contaminated irrigation systems. (source) Since PFA’s are a long-lasting chemical this would be a persistent issue of farmland for several years.
Recently, The Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources had to update their list of impaired water to include additional affected areas. (DMR) These areas include well-known and populated rivers such as the Des Moines, Cedar, and Iowa that have shown high levels of nitrates. (DMR) Nitrates are “pyrotechnic fumigants used as rodenticides, pesticides and insecticides.” (EPA) Pesticides with nitrates as an active ingredient have had associations with cancer, “adverse pregnancy outcomes” and thyroid issues. (MN). Recently, reports have been displaying Iowa to have the fastest-growing rate of new cancer cases in the United States. (IPR)
In general, both PFA’s and nitrates are types of carcinogens, (NIH). If poor water quality in Iowa remains unaddressed, risks posed to the health of local communities will increase. It will be critical for the nation and the state of Iowa to further research PFAs”s & nitrates and how they impact health and the agriculture industry.
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Iowa Public Radio | By Kate Payne. “Study Finds Thousands of Iowans Are Drinking Contaminated Well Water.” Iowa Public Radio, 5 Jan. 2022, www.iowapublicradio.org/environment/2019-04-24/study-finds-thousands-of-iowans-are-drinking-contaminated-well-water.