‘Izaak Walton League launches fundraising campaign for Iowa water quality monitoring’
The Iowa Division of the Izaak Walton League of America has launched a grassroots campaign to raise funds for the Iowa Water Quality Information System (IWQIS), a University of Iowa program that provides real-time data on stream conditions across the state. After losing $500,000 in state funding in 2023, IWQIS faces closure by July 2026 without new financial support. Considered essential for tracking nutrient pollution, identifying improvements, and ensuring transparency, the system plays a critical role as Iowa works to meet national water quality goals. The League aims to raise $500,000 to maintain basic operations and $600,000 to fully restore the program, including equipment upgrades and data analysis. The effort will be highlighted at the Iowa Nature Summit, where organizers stress that sustaining IWQIS is vital to protecting public health and advancing science-based solutions for cleaner water statewide.
Photo Credit: Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch
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.