Iowa's $176M Plan to Fight Nitrate Pollution in Drinking Water Falls Short, Critics Say

Iowa is facing a growing crisis over nitrate pollution in its drinking water. Since January 2024, at least seven communities have recorded nitrate levels above the EPA’s safe limit. In response, Gov. Kim Reynolds has unveiled a major funding package aimed at upgrading water treatment and reducing agricultural runoff. The new legislative plan allocates $76 million in grants and loans to help rural utilities meet federal drinking water standards. An additional $100 million will go toward water treatment infrastructure over the next decade, including a one-time $25 million boost for the Central Iowa Water Works nitrate removal facility. That facility has already run for over 100 days this year, as nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers neared record highs—exceeding the EPA’s 10-milligram-per-litre limit.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture will also receive $52 million to promote farming practices that cut nitrate pollution. Funds will support cover crops, no-till farming, and wetlands in the Des Moines watershed. However, critics point out that 80% of nitrogen pollution in central Iowa comes from agriculture, and the plan does little to directly regulate farming emissions.

Meanwhile, the Iowa Water Quality Information System—a network of over 60 water monitors—faces an uncertain future. Its grant funding expires at the end of July, and the new proposal does not include support for its continuation. Advocates have also raised concerns that the funding focuses heavily on central Iowa, leaving out communities with the highest year-round nitrate levels.

Long-term exposure to nitrates has been linked to cancers and serious health risks, particularly for infants. The EPA’s limits exist to protect public health, but many Iowa towns have struggled to keep contamination under control. The governor’s plan provides immediate funding for water treatment upgrades and agricultural incentives. Yet questions remain about whether the measures will be enough to address the root causes of nitrate pollution. Without further action, some communities may continue to face unsafe drinking water for years to come.