Iowans need more than bottles to address water quality issues

A couple weeks ago, one could observe Central Iowans pushing carts full of bottled water out of box stores and loading them into sweltering vehicles.

These bottles weren’t headed for the family cookout or to be distributed to volunteers for events. A rumor was circulating that Central Iowa Water Works was going to announce nitrate levels above federal safety standards.

Although the mad dash to hoard water subsided, a watering ban remains in effect until nitrate levels decrease, and filtration capacity can catch up.

According to the recently released Central Iowa (CISWRA) report, “nitrate levels in Central Iowa are among the highest in the nation.” Despite near record levels of nitrates, our state government is not taking the issue seriously. While some local efforts have invested in analysis and comprehensive reports such as the CISWRA report, we need a statewide effort to address the root cause of the problem.

Nitrates in drinking water are commonly associated with the risk of blue baby syndrome, but Heather Wilson, Midwest Save our Streams Coordinator, stresses that the problem can affect all Iowans. “We have scientific research that documents things like colon cancer, and bladder cancer and we are also seeing a new paper about preterm births, ovarian cancer, and birth defects.”

The Iowa Capitol Dispatch provided a link to readers to order free nitrate testing kits from Nitrate Watch. “That article lit a fire under people across Iowa. We have received over 300 requests this week.” In comparison they filled less than twice that amount, about 500 tests, for all states for the other 6 months in 2025.

The Izaak Walton League’s Nitrate Watch program started in 2023. While the nitrate watch data set doesn't go back far, Wilson has noticed the impact of nitrogen runoff. “In the years that this program has been active, our volunteers have documented what we call the spring flush, where every year about this time we get a big surge of run off precipitation. What is carried in that runoff is consistently a lot of nitrogen that becomes nitrate when it hits the water. We just can't keep up with that nitrate. And it's unfortunate, but it's also not really a surprise. This has become the norm every year about this time we get the surge. This year just happens to be wiping out the ability of those water utilities to keep up with supply”

This is a problem that goes back several decades, and we are still not closer to any sustainable solutions. In 2017, Judge Leonard Strand dismissed Des Moines Water Works’ lawsuit against Sac, Calhoun, and Buena Vista counties for failure to control nitrates. Judge Strand found that Des Moines Water Works “may well have suffered an injury,” but it was as issue for the Iowa Legislature to resolve.

Eight years later, we have made little to no progress. Wilson explained the problem stems from “the vast majority of the fertilizers in the are coming into Iowa's waterways via runoff is coming from agricultural sources,” the same conclusion reached by CISWRA.

Wilson wants Iowans to know “This does not need to be Iowa's normal.” She cites Minnesota as an example where “they have been marginally successful getting the EPA involved in intervening with accelerated action to protect groundwater users from nitrate pollution.” Iowa submitted a similar petition with no resulting action, but “when Minnesota submitted their petition, they did get a response, and that has resulted in their state agencies taking more of an accelerated approach to providing free drinking water to people who need it.” They also started doing more testing, “which is such an important piece of information that we can't forget. They created more of a strategic plan for getting more conservation practices on the landscape.”

But has it worked? While conservation efforts are much larger than the EPA petition, they are cumulatively working. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, “conservation practices have reduced nitrogen loss up to 49% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 58,250 tons per year.”

Iowans running out to get water bottled in plastic is not a solution — and just causes additional problems. “There is so much that can be done, and that has been done. The fact of the matter is that it's just not happening at the pace and the scale that it needs to. Things like keeping living cover on the landscape is hugely effective at mitigating runoff, which then captures more nitrate from entering waterways. More engineered solutions exist and, in many places, they're doing a lot of great work. It's just that it's not happening at the scale that would lead to noticeable improvements for water quality.”

And for those economically minded, treatment does not happen for free. “Unfortunately, in central Iowa, they're running $14,000 to $16,000 a day just to keep that nitrate removal facility pumping. And that is a price that's passed on to consumers.” In rural areas, the problem of cost is compounded by access.” If that groundwater source becomes contaminated with nitrate, there's really no quick fix,” Wilson explained. “They have to probably drill a new well, which is massively expensive.”

Wilson encourages Iowans to “Do a little bit better in whatever our spheres of influence are to mitigate nitrate pollution. But I would also really encourage people to talk to your community leaders, your legislators, your elected officials and ask what they plan to do about this issue.” She also shares resources to measure nitrates in your drinking water and apply for funding to test private wells.

As both federal and the state of Iowa undermine science and underfund agencies that protect our life and health, data from consumers reported to independent organizations will be increasingly important to protect our health.

Chris Espersen is a Gazette editorial fellow. chris.espersen@thegazette.com