Federal regulators want the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to expand the state’s 2024 list of impaired waters and is accepting public comment through Dec. 13.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said nitrate and nitrite levels in six sections of the Cedar, Des Moines, Iowa, Raccoon and South Skunk rivers have exceeded safe drinking water standards and need to be curtailed.
With the EPA’s additions, Iowa’s list would include 581 impaired streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
Michael Schmidt, staff attorney for the Iowa Environmental Council, said the EPA’s response stands out.
“[The] EPA does not very often disapprove state submissions for impaired water lists, like this, and I think [the] EPA’s action recognizes the high nitrate concentration across Iowa, especially in Iowa’s major rivers,” Schmidt said. “It’s a demonstration that we are not fully addressing our water quality problems in Iowa.”
A growing number of studies have linked low nitrate concentrations in drinking water to colorectal cancer, thyroid disease and other health issues.