drinking water

Researchers say even a small amount of the toxin can harm kids’ development. One 2021 study found Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri had some of the highest rates of elevated blood lead levels in children.

Health officials say there is no safe level for exposure among children of any age.

Host Charity Nebbe talks about the benefits of rain gardens with urban conservationist Jennifer Welch

West Des Moines is the latest city water system to join agree to negotiations that could create a regional drinking water utility in central Iowa.

There are concerning levels of contamination in public water systems across Iowa, according to an environmental group that sets its own health standards. More than 700 hundred utilities in Iowa had levels of certain contaminants above health guidelines set by the Environmental Working Group, which are not legally enforceable.

Even as the Iowa Department of the Natural Resources begins testing for “forever chemicals” in more than 50 public water systems across the state, the agency currently has no plans to test private wells. An estimated 10 percent of Iowans get their water from private wells, which are largely unregulated.

Researchers have detected “forever chemicals” in a third of the Iowa streams they tested. The scientists say it’s significant that they found the toxic chemicals known as PFAS in remote and rural areas, away from sites known to have used them.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is two years into a three-year study testing the state's public water supply systems for manganese, a metal that can contaminate drinking water. So far, it has found concentrations of manganese above an EPA advisory in 26 public water systems.

The Iowa tornado outbreak didn't result in any fatalities or serious injuries. On this edition of River to River, a harrowing story from one Lake City resident who was in the twister's path.

Iowans were advised against swimming at seven public beaches over the Fourth of July holiday weekend due to elevated E. coli levels and toxic algae blooms. Lake Darling State Park in Washington County is the only beach in the state so far this summer to have both advisories in place.