Fed up with nitrate pollution, local group puts up billboards in Iowa
The problem of nitrate pollution in drinking water has swelled to a crisis in parts of the Midwest, California, the Gulf of Mexico and other places where agricultural runoff or wastewater problems contribute to dangerous levels.
Nitrate in drinking water has long been associated with blue baby syndrome, certain birth defects and cancers. Recent studies have raised concern and proposed more research on the health effects of nitrate that fall below the current allowed level under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
This week, a group in Iowa will put up a billboard with the message, “Know what You Drink: Monitor the Nitrate in Your Water.” The Nishnabotna Water Defenders, a group in southwest Iowa, plans a series of billboards focused on nitrate pollution and the need to test drinking water.
“As citizens, we deserve better than to have our waterways polluted,” the Defenders state. “We aim to empower community members with data and drive action to protect clean water.” The group uses the Izaak Walton League’s Nitrate Watch program to collect and report data about nitrate levels in local waterways and drinking water.
During the last year, the East Nishnabotna River suffered nitrogen spills affecting water quality in southwest Iowa. The Water Defenders there will continue to monitor water year-round and reach out to local officials to push for stronger protections and accountability for water quality.
“Clean water isn’t just a goal, it’s a right,” said the Nishnabotna Water Defenders.
A dangerously high nitrate level in central Iowa during the summer was linked to chronic over-use of nitrogen fertilizer on agricultural lands where it washes off fields and into drinking water supplies in an annual “spring flush.” That crisis affected water supplies for 600,000 residents in Iowa.
“When local groups put up billboards along the highway, you know they are not just concerned— they’re fed up,” said Scott Kovarovics, executive director at the Izaak Walton League of America.
“The nitrate pollution problem is serious in Iowa, but this is an everywhere problem—from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes and Central Valley of California. With volunteer science programs, we help people with everything from initial risk assessment and awareness to reducing the pollution at the source.”
The Izaak Walton League works to stop pollution at its source. For nitrate, that means advocating for investments that will scale up conservation across tens of millions of acres of farmland over the next decade. This is essential if we hope to reduce polluted runoff, grow healthier food and keep America’s drinking water safe.
Contact Izaak Walton League
Michael Reinemer, Communications Director, mreinemer@iwla.org, 301-548-0150 ext. 220
Heath Wilson, Save Our Streams Coordinator, hwilson@iwla.org
Contact Nishnabotna Water Defenders
Terry Langan, co-chair and co-founder, langanland@gmail.com, 402-770-4117
Jodi Reese, secretary and co-founder, nishh2odefenders@gmail.com, 402-669-2505
Denise O’Brien, board member, farmer, co-founder, rollingacres76@gmail.com, 712-249-3197
Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League fights to conserve the nation’s woods, waters and wildlife for future generations. The League plays a unique role in supporting community-based science and local conservation and has a legacy of shaping sound national policy. See www.iwla.org.
Your kit will include a bottle containing 25 nitrate test strips which you can use to test your water source(s) throughout the year. You’ll also receive postcards explaining how to use your nitrate test strips and how to share your Nitrate Watch results on the Clean Water Hub.
Your kit will include four test strips so you can test your waterway throughout the season. You’ll also receive a chart to help you interpret your results and a postcard with instructions for completing a Salt Watch test and reporting your findings.