As President Donald Trump has promised deregulation, experts share what that means for water quality and where regulations already fall short. Farmer and former Iowa Corn Growers Association President Tim Recker has dramatically changed his farm, going no-till and adding wetlands. Water quality proponent Silvia Secchi who gives a history of The Clean Water Act and argues regulations don't go far enough. Also, Nina Elkadi, an investigative reporter, shares her reporting on water quality issues. Then, Melissa Miller, the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative project director, speaks about the complexities of nutrient application on farms and the work they are doing to make this application more accurate. (This episode was produced in March 2025.)
Greg Curtzwiler
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Iowa State University
Natalie Krebs
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Iowa Public Radio
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Nitrate levels are still at dangerous levels in Des Moines’ rivers. To keep the area’s sources for drinking water from exceeding EPA standards, Central Iowa Water Works is continuing its ban on lawn watering, possibly for weeks. -
A toxic, cancer-causing chemical was banned by the EPA. Now, some in Congress want to reverse courseIn December, the EPA announced a phased ban of a cancer-causing chemical that can persist in groundwater. Iowa’s 1st District Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and other lawmakers have introduced legislation to reverse that decision. -
Instead of regulating fertilizer, Iowa backs a voluntary program that has little impact at reducing nitrate runoff.
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In April, the EPA announced a rule to reduce toxic air pollution coming from more than 200 chemical plants across the U.S.
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Scientists discuss some of the latest technology in the world of agriculture
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A cancer cluster in Illinois was connected to a nearby chemical plant that emitted carcinogenic ethylene, a chemical targeted by new Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.
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The new documentary Moved by Waters takes a look at water quality in the Quad Cities and the people there who are working for a better, cleaner, more sustainable future. -
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy launched a decade ago, intended to reduce nutrients flowing into rivers and lakes. A bulk of those cuts fall on farmers. -
C6-Zero continues to fight the public release of a list of chemicals present during the December explosion at its Marengo facility. The company claims the Iowa AG has the list.
