EPA executes U-turn on Iowa water pollution
A recent shift in environmental policy has left Iowa’s water quality under scrutiny. The EPA, now under the Biden administration, had classified sections of seven rivers as 'impaired' due to high nitrate levels. But a reversal under the previous administration removed that designation—leaving questions about pollution control unanswered.
In 2025, nitrate pollution in Iowa’s rivers reached such dangerous levels that Des Moines residents were told to stop watering lawns. The city’s drinking water supply was at risk, with farm runoff identified as the primary cause. High nitrates not only threaten water safety but also pose potential health hazards.
Under the Biden administration, the EPA initially declared parts of seven rivers as 'impaired'. This classification would have forced Iowa to create pollution reduction plans for those waterways. However, the Trump administration later overturned the decision, arguing that the rivers were not impaired by nitrates or nitrites. The reversal removed the pressure on Iowa to take corrective action. Without the 'impaired' label, no mandatory cleanup measures were enforced, leaving the state’s water management policies unchanged.
The EPA’s decision means no new pollution controls will be imposed on the affected rivers. Des Moines continues to face challenges in securing safe drinking water, especially during peak nitrate periods. Without stricter regulations, the problem of farm runoff and its impact on water quality remains unresolved.
