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Of Corn and Cancer: Iowa's Deadly Water Crisis
Thursday, October 23, 2025
All that feed corn and all those soybeans—and those nearly 25 million hogs—produce a lot of nitrate. It’s making Iowans sick and causing them to die. And the politicians aren’t doing a thing about it.
University of Iowa water sensor program will get funding from Polk County as Linn, Johnson leaders consider contributions
Thursday, October 23, 2025
In an effort to keep an Iowa water quality sensor program afloat past next June, Polk County Supervisors voted this week to invest funds in it, and they invited Linn and Johnson counties to do the same.
Polk County funds water quality monitors to ensure safe drinking water
Thursday, October 23, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Polk County leaders have announced a plan to fund Iowa's water quality monitors, stepping in after state lawmakers cut $500,000 in funding for the program in 2023, which would have led to many critical river monitors going offline next summer.
These monitors are crucial as they record nitrate levels, which reached record highs last summer, affecting over half a million metro water customers who had to reduce water usage.
Iowa's most populous county invests in statewide water quality sensors as current funding dries up
Thursday, October 23, 2025
The Polk County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to provide $200,000 to help maintain a network of water quality sensors in rivers and streams across Iowa.
Polk County 'leading' effort to fund statewide water quality monitoring system
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Polk County supervisors voted Tuesday to invest $200,000 to keep water quality monitors functioning across the state — a move officials said they hope other counties will mirror.
The funding will help a University of Iowa-headed monitoring system that was set to end in summer 2026 due to a lapse in funding. Polk County officials said the data provided by the system is “vital” to the state as it implements different practices to improve water quality.
Polk County Announces Key Investment in Water Quality Monitoring
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa – Polk County announces a pivotal investment aimed at continuing crucial water quality monitoring across Iowa. In recent years, federal and state budget reductions have threatened to pause a decade of essential research, disrupting the vital monitoring and real-time data collection critical to preserving our water sources. This $200,000 investment highlights Polk County's unwavering commitment to enhancing water quality for both our community and the entire state.
Polk County leader hopeful for partnership with Linn, Johnson County for water quality funding
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
POLK COUNTY, Iowa (KCCI) - Polk County Board Chair Matt McCoy says accurate water quality data isn’t just important; it’s essential.
That’s why Polk County pledged to allocate $200,000 to Iowa’s Water Quality Information System (IWQIS) Tuesday morning.
Polk County investing to keep water quality monitoring in operation
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa — After a historic summer of lawn-watering bans and high nitrate levels, central Iowa officials are taking steps to continue research for keeping water safe.
Polk County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $200,000 investment to help keep 60 Iowa water quality monitors in operation. Those are all across the state in rivers and streams.
Polk County commits funds to keep Iowa water quality monitoring program afloat
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Threatened by federal and state budget reductions, Polk County is committing funding to help keep a state water quality monitoring system afloat amid continued concerns over the quality of central Iowa's water.
Linn County water studies will pay dividends
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Linn County has joined with University of Iowa researchers to conduct studies of surface water and underground aquifers in the county. At an estimated price tag of $130,000, it’s a bargain, given the importance of the information it will provide.
The studies include an aquifer vulnerability map, a contaminant plume map and a surface water sampling assessment to be completed in collaboration with UI researchers through Sept. 30, 2026.