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?
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
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