Iowans Crowdfund to Save State’s Water Monitoring Network
Iowa’s rivers, lakes, and farmland are the foundation of the state’s economy, environment, and way of life—but the program that monitors their health is now at risk. The University of Iowa’s water monitoring network, which tracks nitrate pollution, harmful algal blooms, and overall water quality, has faced over a decade without a funding increase and was recently hit with a $500,000 cut. Without this crucial data, communities lose transparency, public health is endangered, and Iowa’s ongoing water crisis will only deepen. It takes $500,000 annually to keep the system running at its most basic level, and $600,000 to operate it effectively with updated equipment and proper analysis.
In response, the Iowa Division of the Izaak Walton League of America is leading a grassroots fundraising effort to keep this vital monitoring network alive. Without water quality data, there’s no accountability, and without accountability, there’s no change.
Press Release (PDF Document)
Link to the funding page: https://gofund.me/04af82468
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.