Iowa Democrats have a plan to improve water quality

Drinking. Bathing. Washing. Swimming. Fishing. Rafting, boating, and canoeing. Through pipes, through treatment plants, through wells, through rivers, and through lakes.

We’re in Iowa’s waters, and they’re in us. All of the time. We need water to live, and we need water to grow.

We have so many options to improve our water- to reduce nitrates before they impact fish, fowl, and filter; to slow rivers and streams and rebuild banks; to heal watersheds for future generations and to keep Iowans here right now.

So, let’s start somewhere. Iowa House Democrats are proposing a realistic package that lifts up farmers who want to truly steward their land right now. It’s time to fully fund the monitoring sensor network that allows our Iowa Water Quality Information System to inform the entire state; triple funding for the Water Quality initiative to get riparian buffer strips and wetlands back on our land; and create an Iowa Water Quality Loan program for necessary equipment and supplies and collaborate with Iowans who want to implement best water quality practices.

We have so many reasons to improve our water: to bolster health across the state; to reduce the local costs and energy demands of filtration; and to enjoy recreation all year-round.

So, why haven’t we cared for our waters? Why, as we learn, wouldn’t we do better?

Rep. Elinor A. Levin

Iowa City