Iowa Water Quality

The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it plans to weaken limits on some so-called forever chemicals in drinking water that were finalized last year, while maintaining standards for two common ones.

A well that supplies drinking water to the east side of Waverly in northeast Iowa has elevated levels of two toxic chemicals that persist indefinitely and are newly regulated by the federal government.

In Cedar Rapids, the state department of agriculture plans to invest $177,625 as part of a planned $500,000 project by the Linn County Conservation Board to build a wetland and improve water quality near Morgan Creek Park.

An analysis by Investigative Midwest found that a substantial share of Iowa’s rivers and lakes labeled as impaired have remained in poor condition for at least a decade, highlighting persistent pollution risks for swimmers, boaters, and others who regularly use these waters.

A new congressional bill aims to improve fisheries and environmental quality in the Mississippi River basin with a federally funded commission.

Produced in partnership with the Iowa Engineering Society, E-Week is an annual celebration of engineering and all that it, and engineers, contribute to our world. The Gazette's E-Week showcases a variety of engineering topics.

The Iowa Institute for Hydraulic Research’s work can be seen around the world, but its biggest impact is felt closer to home.

Since 2020, Iverson has had the opportunity to work on water quality projects that have a direct impact on the environment, including lake restoration, abandoned coal mine restoration and more.

The city’s water complies with federal requirements, but test data for the past five years show concentrations that are higher than what is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Some of the treated drinking water of Cedar Rapids had nitrate concentrations that approached a federal health limit for months. It might be a recurring problem.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced the last seven agricultural drainage wells in the state have been closed, which represents the end of about 30 years of research and management around the wells that negatively impacted water quality in Iowa.

A group that opposes the 5-million-gallon manure processing facility near Ridgeway worries it will result in larger dairy herds.