Iowa Waters

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.

It could take thousands of years to meet some of Iowa’s nutrient reduction goals if conservation efforts continue at current rates. That’s according to a recent analysis of the state’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy by the Iowa Environmental Council.

A newly-published analysis has found that Iowa communities whose drinking water is contaminated with nitrate are more likely to be lower income. The study by the Environmental Working Group found that among the areas with the highest rates of nitrate pollution, 85 percent are considered lower income.

An estimated 20,000 Iowans are now under voluntary or mandatory water restrictions due to drought conditions. It’s adding more strain on rural utilities that have long struggled to provide safe drinking water because of agricultural pollution.

The Des Moines Water Works is exploring a plan to build a set of alluvial groundwater wells as a way to lessen its reliance on the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, which have been polluted with agricultural runoff for years. The $30 million plan would represent a philosophical shift for the utility.

The Lower Missouri and Raccoon Rivers are among the top 10 most endangered in the country this year, according to a national advocacy group. The organization American Rivers is calling for concerted action at all levels of government in order to what it describes as threats to public health and safety and biological diversity.

Host Charity Nebbe speaks with Chad Pregracke of Living Lands and Waters about his new proposal for a National Park along and across the Mississippi River.

The Iowa DNR plans to test the water at more than 50 locations across the state for the substances known as forever chemicals. The class of compounds collectively called PFAS has been linked to an increased risk for a number of health concerns, including certain cancers, developmental and fertility issues, as well as kidney and liver complications.

Three environmental groups are calling on MidAmerican Energy to retire its coal-fired power plants, in order to save ratepayers millions of dollars. The organizations are making their case to the Iowa Utilities Board, which is considering the company's latest emissions plan.

The overall number of waterbody segments that have been designated impaired has decreased slightly since 2018, according to the state's draft impaired waters list. But the rate of rivers, lakes and streams that are impaired has increased.