Water Quality

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.

Ben Kieffer talks to IPR's Kate Payne about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and concerning news on Iowa's water quality and the Associated Press's Ryan Foley on the fatal Adventureland accident.

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.

A lawsuit aimed at creating mandatory water quality regulations to reduce farm pollution in the Raccoon River will not proceed after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the case asked the courts to infringe on the powers of the legislature.

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.

Iowa’s cities have scored a decisive victory in a long-running legal battle between urban and rural interests over the delivery of water to undeveloped areas of the state.

The Environmental Working Group’s report says Iowa does routine weekly monitoring for microcystins on state park beaches throughout the summer, but it’s missing other locations like lakes, ponds and reservoirs.

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.