THE NITRATE ISSUE. POLK COUNTY FIRST COMMISSIONED THE REPORT BACK IN 2023. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RELEASED EARLIER THIS YEAR, BUT IT HASN’T UP UNTIL THIS POINT. THE IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH OBTAINED A COPY AND vlog SPOKE WITH POLK COUNTY SUPERVISOR MATT MCCOY ABOUT ITS FINDINGS. WE’RE HOPING THAT THIS CENTRAL IOWA WATER REPORT, THIS COMPREHENSIVE REPORT WILL SERVE AS A GUIDE. POLK COUNTY LEADERS LIKE SUPERVISOR MATT MCCOY FIRST ANNOUNCED THE CENTRAL IOWA SOURCE WATER RISK ASSESSMENT IN 2023. IT’S REGARDED TO BE A FIRST OF ITS KIND STUDY, UNBIASED AND A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE WATERSHEDS FOR THE DES MOINES AND RACCOON RIVERS. FEDERAL DATA SHOWS THAT THE HIGHEST STREAM NITRATE CONCENTRATIONS ARE, QUOTE, PREDOMINANTLY FOUND IN IOWA. WE WANT TO WORK COOPERATIVELY WITH FARMERS. WE DON’T WANT TO BLAME FARMERS. WE’RE WE’RE TIED TO AGRICULTURE IN SO MANY WAYS. THE REPORT STATES THAT NEARLY 80% OF NITRATE IN THE DES MOINES AND RACCOON RIVERS IS DIRECTLY TIED TO AGRICULTURE. IT ALSO READS THAT NITRATES WILL CONTINUE TO BE A CHALLENGE IN THE LEVELS WILL LIKELY GET WORSE. AN ANALYSIS OF FARMED AREAS IN FOUR OTHER STATES SHOWED THAT THE HIGH CONCENTRATIONS IN IOWA ARE AN ANOMALY. SO MUCH OF OUR STATE PLANTED IN CORN AND SOYBEANS, AND IT’S REALLY A FENCE ROW TO FENCE ROW KIND OF STATE, AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS, THIS ISSUE COOPERATIVELY. AND OFTENTIMES THAT INVOLVES INCENTIVIZING INDIVIDUALS TO TO DO THIS BECAUSE THERE’S A COST ASSOCIATED WITH ALL OF THIS. THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTED ABOUT TWO DOZEN RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY IN THE WATERSHEDS, INCLUDING MORE STATE FUNDING FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES, A PUBLIC DATABASE TO SHOW HOW MUCH MANURE IS BEING APPLIED TO LAND, AND REDUCING THE OVERAPPLICATION OF IT, AND PREPARATION FOR FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION. MCCOY SAID THE COUNTY HAS TAKEN STEPS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY ONE WAY, BUILDING MORE WETLANDS THAT ACT AS RUNOFF CLEANSERS. HE SAYS THAT COULD BE A BIG PIECE OF THE SOLUTION. POLK COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO RELEASE THE REPORT ON JULY 1ST. WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE IOWA FARM BUREAU FOR A COMMENT, BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. IN DES MOINES, BEA
Scientists to present Iowa water quality research report at Drake University
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Updated: 7:16 PM CDT Aug 3, 2025
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Update: The first official presentation of the findings from the Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment will be held Monday evening at Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.The presentation will feature a panel of scientists who were directly involved in creating the 227-page assessment, and will provide Polk County residents the opportunity to get the information firsthand and share their reactions.The event is free, but registration is required. A Zoom livestream will also be available.Previous reportingThe Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment, commissioned in 2023, is the first of its kind, offering an unbiased and comprehensive examination of the watersheds for the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Although the report has not been officially released, the Iowa Capital Dispatch obtained a copy, and Polk County Supervisor Matt McCoy shared its findings with vlog."We're hoping that this Central Iowa water report, this comprehensive report, will serve as a guide," McCoy said.The report reveals that nearly 80% of the nitrate in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers is directly tied to agriculture. Federal data highlights that Iowa has the highest stream nitrate concentrations in the nation, with an analysis of farmed areas in four other states showing Iowa as an anomaly. McCoy emphasized the importance of collaboration with farmers to address the issue."We want to work cooperatively with farmers. We don't want to blame farmers. We're tied to agriculture in so many ways," McCoy stated.The study outlines about two dozen recommendations to improve water quality, including increased state funding for wastewater treatment facilities, the creation of a public database to track manure application, and preparation for stricter regulations on drinking water contamination. McCoy noted that Polk County has already taken steps to improve water quality, such as building wetlands to act as natural runoff cleansers."If we implement wetlands across the state like we've done here in Polk County, I think we'll find that our water is going to get cleaner," McCoy said.Polk County officially released the report on July 1. The Iowa Farm Bureau declined to comment until the report is officially released by the county. “Polk County hopes these findings will lead to further investments in improving our watersheds, which will ultimately have positive impacts on public health, recreation and economic benefits," McCoy said. "We hope that residents and community groups use this report as a guide to advocate and take positive actions to improve water quality at local, state and national level.”Recent coverage of central Iowa water issuesCentral Iowa officials ban lawn watering to avoid potential 'water crisis'What are nitrates in drinking water and why Iowa officials are watching closelyLIST: Which Iowans are included in the ban on lawn watering?Des Moines shuts down spraygrounds as central Iowa cities work to conserve waterClive residents respond to lawn watering ban amid high nitrate levelsCentral Iowa landscaping businesses adapt to lawn watering banLawn watering ban still in place for more than 600,000 central Iowans; water usage drops by 30%Des Moines Water Works CEO links nitrate issue to farm fertilizers Communities can reopen splash pads and spraygrounds, Central Iowa Water Works says Get the Facts: How much water do West Des Moines data centers actually use?Splash pads turn back on one week later after new guidance from CIWWCentral Iowa water officials squash rumors that drinking water is unsafeCentral Iowa water quality experts say at-home nitrate test kits are unreliableMore Iowans considering at-home water treatment systems amid water quality concernsvlog Investigates: Water demand shot up day before lawn watering ban began, data shows This week's rain doesn't help high nitrate levels and the watering ban. Here's why.Answers to frequently asked questions about Iowa water quality, nitrates, testing and moreInside Central Iowa Water Works' testing laboratoryStudy of births in Iowa finds potential prenatal risk linked to nitrates in drinking waterSource water nitrate levels still elevated, but are improving, Central Iowa Water Works says
POLK COUNTY, Iowa — Update: of the findings from the Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment will be held Monday evening at Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The presentation will feature a panel of scientists who were directly involved in creating the 227-page assessment, and will provide Polk County residents the opportunity to get the information firsthand and share their reactions.
The event is free, . A Zoom livestream will also be available.
Previous reporting
The Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment, commissioned in 2023, is the first of its kind, offering an unbiased and comprehensive examination of the watersheds for the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Although the report has not been officially released, the Iowa Capital Dispatch obtained a copy, and Polk County Supervisor Matt McCoy shared its findings with vlog.
"We're hoping that this Central Iowa water report, this comprehensive report, will serve as a guide," McCoy said.
The report reveals that nearly 80% of the nitrate in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers is directly tied to agriculture. Federal data highlights that Iowa has the highest stream nitrate concentrations in the nation, with an analysis of farmed areas in four other states showing Iowa as an anomaly. McCoy emphasized the importance of collaboration with farmers to address the issue.
"We want to work cooperatively with farmers. We don't want to blame farmers. We're tied to agriculture in so many ways," McCoy stated.
The study outlines about two dozen recommendations to improve water quality, including increased state funding for wastewater treatment facilities, the creation of a public database to track manure application, and preparation for stricter regulations on drinking water contamination. McCoy noted that Polk County has already taken steps to improve water quality, such as building wetlands to act as natural runoff cleansers.
"If we implement wetlands across the state like we've done here in Polk County, I think we'll find that our water is going to get cleaner," McCoy said.
Polk County officially released the report on July 1. The Iowa Farm Bureau declined to comment until the report is officially released by the county.
“Polk County hopes these findings will lead to further investments in improving our watersheds, which will ultimately have positive impacts on public health, recreation and economic benefits," McCoy said. "We hope that residents and community groups use this report as a guide to advocate and take positive actions to improve water quality at local, state and national level.”
Recent coverage of central Iowa water issues
