Rachel Cramer
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Iowa Public Radio
A group of farmers say voluntary approaches to conservation are not delivering the scale of change needed to meet the state’s nutrient reduction goals. They’re calling for a new system of incentives and disincentives.
Lucius Pham
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Iowa Public Radio
Cami Koons
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Iowa Capital Dispatch
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Central Iowa Water Works — the regional water authority that serves one in five Iowans — has issued a lawn watering ban in the Des Moines area. It’s the result of a demand spike and consistently high nitrate levels in the rivers and other sources that provide water for the system. -
At the first reading of a proposed data zoning ordinance, residents of Palo and nearby communities raised concerns over the negative impacts future data centers could have on water and traffic, as well as light and noise pollution. Many people asked for the city to tighten regulations, while several others asked the city to table the ordinance completely. -
Central Iowa Water Works leaders said data indicates central Iowans may face another lawn watering ban due to high nitrate levels unless residents limit water use.
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Many Midwest residents distrust their tap water, opting to purchase water and ice from standalone kiosks. University of Iowa researchers recently found that these kiosks may contain at least trace amounts of lead. Rachel Schnelle investigated this research on behalf of the Midwest Newsroom. We talk with her and two University of Iowa researchers behind this study that sampled many kiosks around Iowa. -
Iowa’s House and Senate leaders said Thursday they need more time to review an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that aims to increase the supply of glyphosate-based weedkillers in the U.S. It comes as the state Legislature decides whether to shield pesticide companies from certain lawsuits. -
In Early, Iowa, residents check their Facebook to see if their water is safe to drink. On this News Buzz edition of River to River, Sentient Media's Nina Elkadi shares her investigation into nitrate pollution in small towns' tap water. But first, Robin Opsahl of Iowa Capital Dispatch gives us a statehouse update. Also, Iowa Capital Dispatch's Cami Koons talks about a controversial piece of legislation that could change how Iowa's impaired waters list is managed. Iowa’s State Climatologist Justin Glisan explains this year’s snow drought and its consequences. Finally, we groove into the weekend with Studio One's CeCe Mitchell with new tracks from Buck Meek and Dogpark.
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Elevated nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers prompted Central Iowa Water Works to start up its nitrate removal system this month. A network of water quality sensors shows a similar uptick in other streams and rivers across state. -
Iowa cities are receiving significant settlements from chemical companies to address "forever chemical" contamination in drinking water. But officials caution that the funds may not cover all associated costs, as long-term solutions remain uncertain. -
Scientists discussed pollution, bacteria and other challenges plaguing central Iowa's rivers at an event in Des Moines Monday. The presenters contributed to a two-year assessment of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, which includes recommendations at the local, regional and state level.
