Water Quality

About half of Iowa's waterways — its thousands of streams, lakes, reservoirs and wetlands — are considered impaired according to an Iowa DNR report. We’ll discuss the findings in this report and potential solutions to improve water quality in the state with three experts from the University of Iowa.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources documents show workers at a manure digester in northwest Iowa noted a drop in the digester’s tank but didn’t investigate the issue further. The digester leaked roughly 376,000 gallons of manure water into nearby creeks.

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

Iowa is investing $38 million in three water quality and infrastructure projects across the state.

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.

IPR’s Grant Gerlock starts off today’s show discussing how the federal infrastructure bill will impact Iowa, specifically its water systems. Vanessa Miller of the Gazette talks about a University of Iowa lawsuit involving faith-based student organizations. Randy Meier of the Clinton County Sheriff’s office shares the warning signs you may be getting scammed and Iowa Falls farmer John Gilbert talks sustainability practices.

The process of cleaning up fuel and coal spilled into the Mississippi River following a train derailment is well underway, according to state officials. The incident happened when a BNSF train hit a river barge in southeast Iowa on Saturday.

Kate Payne, Janis Elliott, Steve Veysey and the hosts of the new podcast "We All Want Clean H20," join Ben Kieffer to talk about water issues in the state of Iowa and the path forward for improving water quality.