Thinking smarter about our drinking water

Many Americans take safe tap water for granted. After all, we should be able to trust that our drinking water is free from harmful contaminants. The rules that govern which contaminants must be removed by water utilities are set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Nitrate in our drinking water is a growing problem in many parts of the U.S. and particularly here in the Midwest.

Excess nitrate in drinking water can come from overapplication of fertilizers, manure from animal feedlots and leaky septic systems. Nitrate readily dissolves in water and can easily be carried by rain, irrigation and melting snow until it reaches streams, lakes or groundwater.

In 2023, the EPA initiated an assessment conducted by the agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) intended to evaluate the effects of nitrate in water on human health. If the nitrate drinking water standard were to be adjusted, an IRIS assessment would be the first step.

Over 60 years ago, the scientific and regulatory communities agreed that it was worthwhile to limit the amount of nitrate in drinking water. This was based on our understanding of nitrate’s connection to blue baby syndrome, a condition that can be fatal to infants. In 1962, the U.S. Public Health Service established a 10 mg/L standard for nitrate in drinking water with the express purpose of reducing cases of blue baby syndrome. The standard was later codified by the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1991.

A growing body of evidence shows that nitrate in drinking water causes more health problems than just blue baby syndrome. A large body of medical research published over the past 20 years reveals that individuals who consume elevated levels of nitrate are also at increased risk of developing certain cancers and thyroid disease. Nitrate consumption is also linked to increased incidence of neural tube birth defects. In many cases, these health effects have been associated with nitrate levels below the current 10 mg/L drinking water standard.

In a review issued in 2010, the EPA acknowledged new health effects. It considered nominating nitrate for a new health effects assessment.

Regardless of the presiding administration, the EPA must approach drinking water standards with a clear-eyed, unbiased approach that considers the full breadth of research available. They must also approach nitrate with urgency.

Nitrate pollution is also very expensive when it must be removed from drinking water. It’s obviously much cheaper to keep it out of our waterways in the first place. We need more funding in the farm bill for incentives improving soil conservation and reducing runoff.

Nitrate Watch volunteers throughout the Midwest will be monitoring surface water and well water for nitrate levels, which often spike this time of year as nutrients wash off agricultural lands.

In Washington, we must keep an eye on the status of the nitrate IRIS assessment and participate in public comment periods. Every year we delay taking action, we put the health of our friends, families and neighbors at risk.

Jodi Labs is national president and Dale Braun is executive board chair of the Izaak Walton League of America. Braun lives in Cedar Rapids.