The nitrate pollution at the root of Central Iowa’s lawn watering ban is not unique to Central Iowa. The issue – and its sources – are incredibly widespread. In this…
By: Heather Wilson, Save Our Streams Coordinator Jo Ann Sadler is a Nitrate Watch volunteer from rural northwest Iowa. Like many residents of rural Iowa, Jo Ann’s surroundings are dominated…
Denise and Larry O’Brien, organic farmers and founding members of the Nishnabotna Water Defenders, are teaching their neighbors in Atlantic, Iowa to monitor pollution in waterways with Nitrate Watch. Learn…
Residents in Central Iowa have been placed under a first-of-its-kind lawn watering ban in response to stress on the water utilities from nitrate pollution in water sources. Data and insight…
By: Heather Wilson, Save Our Streams Coordinator Nitrate Watch volunteers have been busy in 2025 and their data is starting to paint a picture. What does the data show us?…
This reporting from the Iowa Capital Dispatch follows Nitrate Watch volunteer, Richard Gradoville, as he monitors nitrate levels in the Des Moines river and explains his connection to water quality…
April showers bring… polluted runoff? Unfortunately, this is the case in many parts of the United States. The results can be dangerous. Waterways often see peak nitrate concentrations in the…
This article from the Cedar Rapids Gazette profiles Nitrate Watch water monitoring efforts by the Linn County Iowa chapter of the Izaak Walton League.
Heather Wilson | Outdoor America 2023 Issue 1 It’s hard to believe. We know that nitrogen running off agricultural lands, leaking from septic systems and draining out of wastewater treatment…
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.