Iowa's Declining Decade - Logo

2013

2023

A DECADE OF DECLINING WATER QUALITY IN IOWA

A Decade of Declining Water Quality in Iowa

Iowa’s rivers, streams, and lakes are some of our most valuable natural resources. They shape our landscape and provide drinking water, recreation opportunities, and a strong economic foundation. But Iowa’s land management practices have degraded our waters, threatening public health and a desirable, livable future for Iowans. Learn more about how the voluntary Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy has failed and led to worsening water quality.

Impacting All Iowans

Fertilizer pollution reduces quality of life for Iowans, burdens downstream neighbors, and poses increased risk of serious health issues, including cancer. We need pollution reductions statewide to ensure all Iowans have access to clean drinking and recreational waters.

34%
Increase in Nitrogen Load Leaving Iowa Compared to Baseline. (1)
1,200
Bioreactors and Saturated Buffers Must be Installed Annually to Reach Goals in 100 Years (2)
29%
Average Nitrate Load Contributed by Iowa to the Gulf of Mexico (3)

Failing to Show Progress

Investment in conservation practices continues to increase to the tune of tens of millions of dollars each year, funded by Iowa taxpayers. But water quality has failed to improve since the adoption of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy and the numbers show it. Our state’s inability to take real action and demand accountability puts the health of Iowans and our downstream neighbors at risk.

(1) Data compiled by IEC from 2018-19 NRS Progress Report

(2) Data compiled by IEC from NRS Science Assessment

(3) Jones CS, Nielsen JK, Schilling KE, Weber LJ (2018) Iowa stream nitrate and the Gulf of Mexico. PLoS ONE 13(4):e0195930.

34%
Increase in Nitrogen Load Leaving Iowa Compared to Baseline. (1)
1,200
Bioreactors and Saturated Buffers Must be Installed Annually to Reach Goals in 100 Years (2)
29%
Average Nitrate Load Contributed by Iowa to the Gulf of Mexico (3)

Failing to Show Progress

Investment in conservation practices continues to increase to the tune of tens of millions of dollars each year, funded by Iowa taxpayers. But water quality has failed to improve since the adoption of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy and the numbers show it. Our state’s inability to take real action and demand accountability puts the health of Iowans and our downstream neighbors at risk.

(1) Data compiled by IEC from 2018-19 NRS Progress Report

(2) Data compiled by IEC from NRS Science Assessment

(3) Jones CS, Nielsen JK, Schilling KE, Weber LJ (2018) Iowa stream nitrate and the Gulf of Mexico. PLoS ONE 13(4):e0195930.

A DECADE OF DECLINING

It's Time to Define Real Progress

The Iowa Environmental Council and many of our partners and supporters have long called for real, measurable action to address Iowa’s water quality woes. We were vocal in providing comments during the development and adoption of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Since 2013, we have acted as a watchdog on agency spending and action, highlighting the lack of progress and offering realistic solutions to improve our water quality.

About the NRS

Iowa adopted a statewide Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) in 2013 to satisfy U.S. EPA policy to address nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) pollution. The goal of the NRS is to reduce Iowa’s nutrient pollution by 45%. Responsibility for NRS implementation is divided between three state agencies: Iowa State University (research and data analysis), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (point source pollution reduction), and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (nonpoint source pollution reduction). 

The NRS includes required actions for point sources of nutrient pollution, such as wastewater treatment plants and drinking water systems, but only voluntary measures for agriculture. Nutrient pollution is primarily from nonpoint sources – 92% of nitrogen and 80% of phosphorus. The largest nonpoint source in Iowa is from fertilizer and manure application to farm fields. This voluntary policy, pushed by the agriculture industry, has not led to widespread or even noticeable water quality improvements. Iowans have suffered the consequences, ranging from the increased risk of serious health issues, like cancer, to unsafe recreational waters.

Based on the failure of the voluntary policy, the state must revise its approach to make progress. Creating widespread behavior change and adoption of conservation practices on the landscape to curb nutrient pollution will require changes in state policy.