EPA is forcing Minnesota to address farm pollution in drinking water. Is Iowa next?

[cigaretteman]

This month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency directed Minnesota to take action against agricultural pollution tainting thousands of private wells in the southeastern portion of the state.



A Nov. 3 letter from the EPA to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and state departments of health and agriculture called attention to health risks from groundwater nitrate contamination for residents in eight counties in the state’s karst region.


Nitrate, a form of nitrogen, is a pollutant in waterways and groundwater that typically originates from agricultural runoff. It is linked to blue baby syndrome when its levels exceed 10 milligrams per liter in drinking water. Long-term exposure to lower nitrate levels, even for adults, could lead to cancer and other negative health impacts, some emerging research suggests.



The EPA is now requesting that Minnesota develop a plan for addressing this pollution, which primarily comes from agriculture, and identifying and notifying impacted residents. It recommended the state adopt more requirements for sources of nitrate pollution, including feedlots and fertilizer application.


Iowa shares a border with Minnesota, as well as the karst geography that makes groundwater especially vulnerable to agricultural contamination. With similar nitrate pollution levels in its private wells, could Iowa be subject to similar EPA scrutiny?

EPA forcing Minnesota to address farm pollution. Is Iowa next?

Private wells in Minnesota are facing nitrate contamination that must be addressed. Iowa is no stranger to these water quality issues

www.thegazette.com

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

We are using our $50,000 REAP grant to build a songbird habitat in downtown Hills, a block from the abandoned stockyard, feral cat sanctuary. Will keep you people updated. @Hawki97 can be the independent observer as he leaves the 218 Tap...

REAP Grants

www.iowadnr.gov

 

[JRHawk2003]

Its possible the EPA could be forced to enforce the Clean Water Act again. That is ultimately what forced a lot of changes in city waste water plants.

 

[torbee]

Considering our state government doesn't give a shit, here's hoping.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

I should have never sold my frozen orange juice concentrate stocks for ammonia stocks.

 

[Chishawk1425]

Our dipshit AG will be on the case soon to file lawsuits on big ag and cancers behalf.

 

[Hawki97]

We are using our $50,000 REAP grant to build a songbird habitat in downtown Hills, a block from the abandoned stockyard, feral cat sanctuary. Will keep you people updated. @Hawki97 can be the independent observer as he leaves the 218 Tap...

REAP Grants

www.iowadnr.gov

Isn't that already done? I figured that's what all those fancy birdhouse things are on the Casey's lot!! You boys upgrading to penthouses for them or something?

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

We should have been the first target of the EPA IMO.

 

[OILCHECKER]

We are using our $50,000 REAP grant to build a songbird habitat in downtown Hills, a block from the abandoned stockyard, feral cat sanctuary. Will keep you people updated. @Hawki97 can be the independent observer as he leaves the 218 Tap...

REAP Grants

www.iowadnr.gov

"Downtown Hills"? Lol.

 

[torbee]

"Downtown Hills"? Lol.

I went to an awesome party in rural Hills during college. Lots of hippie chicks without tops smoking dope and having fun.

 

[comp_sci_hawk]

The Attorney General Breanna will just give the EPA the "Bird" if they step foot in Iowa with a big ole lawsuit.

The hog farmers own the waterways here in Iowa. They won't stop until we all swim in pig $hit.

 

[Hawki97]

I went to an awesome party in rural Hills during college. Lots of hippie chicks without tops smoking dope and having fun.

Hills is where it's at! The Tap can get a little nuts after dark.

 

[Pinehawk]

Iowa is not as susceptible to nitrate contamination in wells because we don’t as much karst geography, which allows surface contamination to quickly reach underground aquifers.
But, we certainly have plenty of nitrate contamination in our surface waters.

 

[anon_b29nm7v7dwp6r]

I like my Iowa water just how it is, infused with plentiful amounts of nitrate…

 

[Kelsers]

Iowa is not as susceptible to nitrate contamination in wells because we don’t as much karst geography, which allows surface contamination to quickly reach underground aquifers.
But, we certainly have plenty of nitrate contamination in our surface waters.

You are an effing moron. Does Iowa have shallow wells along rivers that are under the influence of that surface water?

 

[MitchLL]

This is one topic that Iowa's political leaders will purposely ignore.

Mississippi North, Baby!

 

[Pinehawk]

You are an effing moron. Does Iowa have shallow wells along rivers that are under the influence of that surface water?

Yes, some. That is not karst geography though. Those are typically private individual sand point water wells serving single family homes. And, if you’re drinking from those, nitrate is not your primary concern.

 

[joelbc1]

Considering our state government doesn't give a shit, here's hoping.

Goddammit torbee! There you go again! Our (Hawkeye) State DOES care about its polluted groundwater and is currently fighting’ like hell to maintain its rather sullied reputation!
How dare you besmirch Kim, her Republican Legislature and the Iowa Farm Bureau in such a wreckless manner!
Damned liberal press....

 

[lucas80]

The Attorney General Breanna will just give the EPA the "Bird" if they step foot in Iowa with a big ole lawsuit.

The hog farmers own the waterways here in Iowa. They won't stop until we all swim in pig $hit.

Brenna and Kim believe that farmers and water consumers will make good choices about the level of "nutrients", in the drinking water.

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

As someone who lives within 20 miles of SE Minnesota and has the same karst land, I approve of this. Hopefully the EPA comes after Iowa next.

 

[joelbc1]

As someone who lives within 20 miles of SE Minnesota and has the same karst land, I approve of this. Hopefully the EPA comes after Iowa next.

😲
Must I remind you.....
In Kim We Trust!

 

[EasyHawk]

😲
Must I remind you.....
In Kim We Trust!

The best water ever on a hot summer day was the drinking fountain outside of Pardekooper’s. It was as pure as spring water.

 

[joelbc1]

As long as the sparrows hadn’t shit all over the water spout.
BTW, there are two “a’s” in Paardekooper…Dutch for “horse trader” or “horse buyer”. I believe.

 

[Kelsers]

Yes, some. That is not karst geography though. Those are typically private individual sand point water wells serving single family homes. And, if you’re drinking from those, nitrate is not your primary concern.

What is the primary concern when drinking water from alluvial aquifers?

 

[Pinehawk]

What is the primary concern when drinking water from alluvial aquifers?

Bacteria

 

[GlenHawk]

Considering our state government doesn't give a shit, here's hoping.

Hey, at least Kimmy gets to brag about the “over collection” of $1.83 billion from Iowa taxpayers.

Iowans will continue to drink their cancer water but at least everyone is gonna get a couple hundred bucks back in their pocket each year. Seems like a good trade off lol.

 

[joelbc1]

Hey, at least Kimmy gets to brag about the “over collection” of $1.83 billion from Iowa taxpayers.

Iowans will continue to drink their cancer water but at least everyone is gonna get a couple hundred bucks back in their pocket each year. Seems like a good trade off lol.

That “overcollection” caoames from the Feds and their COVID aid to the states issued a few years ago. Kimmie “banked” the cash as opposed to using it as intended and that created Iowa’s $2B surplus...She uses this surplus to fuel her drive to cut Iowa’s income taxes...Iowa has some very difficult choices as to what services it is going to cut 4-5 years down the line...when this surplus is gone and state revenues are further diminished. Good times for Iowans are in your future!

 

[Dirt Boy 2]

I like my Iowa water just how it is, infused with plentiful amounts of nitrate…

It’s what makes hot dogs so delicious.

 

[Kelsers]

Bacteria

This is from the IDNR: "The Alluvial wells will be highly susceptible to surface contaminants such as leaking underground storage tanks, contaminant spills, and excess fertilizer application." That indicates Nitrates as being one of the primary contaminants.