This is a written conversation with you about the political weaponizing of water. We are going to begin with basic definitions and abbreviations.
Governing as defined in a dictionary means the act or process of directing, controlling, or guiding the actions, policies or affairs of a group, organization, state, or community. “Good governing when done well, fairly, wisely, and responsibly ensures people’s safety, rights, and well-being.”
EPA-Environmental Protection Agency; MCL- Maximum Contaminant Level; 10 mg/L- 10 milligrams per Liter. A milligram is 0.000035 ounces, a liter being slightly larger than a quart.
Mitigation-The act or process of reducing the severity of harmful effects. Nitrate mitigation includes fertilizer management, cover crops, buffer strips, restored wetlands, and management of animal waste.
The EPA has established the MCL for nitrate at 10 milligrams per liter. If the number is higher than 10, the water is considered unsafe to drink. Scientists usually consider the number at 5 or above as sign of pollution.
Less than one year ago the EPA issued impaired water lists because of elevated nitrates for segments of five Iowa Rivers; Raccoon, Des Moines, Cedar, Iowa, and South Skunk. Listing a water body as ” impaired” triggers development of a cleanup plan, under the Clean Water Act as established by Congress in 1972.
Elevated nitrate rates were seen as early as the 1980s with the Raccoon River showing concentrations of 5-8mg/L. This number has increased due to the extended use of nitrogen application, confined animal feeding operations (CAFO)s, animal waste from CAFOs, and improved underground tile drainage systems.
Watching the evening news this past summer it was routinely reported that nitrate levels were impacting the citizens of Des Moines. Watering lawns was halted, as the Des Moines Water Works diligently worked to remove nitrates to keep the available water supply safe for drinking. Treated safe water was combined with high nitrate level water and diluted to ensure safe drinking water.
The elevated nitrate levels according to Colleen Fowle, water program director at the Iowa Environmental Council, took information from the National Cancer Institute and stated the risks of nitrate in Iowa’s drinking water are significant, as nitrate has been linked to colon, kidney, and stomach cancers.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources under the Reynolds administration had challenged that while those rivers had elevated nitrate levels, drinking water was within safe limits following treatment, and that Iowa was being held to “ a very high standard not enforced elsewhere” (Capitol Dispatch).
On July 11, 2025, the Trump administration-controlled Region 7 EPA issued a letter notifying the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that it was rescinding its earlier disapproval and “removing the river segments from the impaired list to allow for further evaluation of the state’s rationale”.
It was through sheer political maneuvering of that pen stroke that the Raccoon and the Des Moines River were declared no longer impaired.
The rivers’ nitrate levels were not changed. The rivers did not become safer. The pen stoke removed mitigation planning. Voluntary efforts are being practiced by some farmers including limiting application of nitrogen directly on the fields, and the planting of cover crops such as rye, radishes, or wheat following the fall harvest.
Prudent persons living in rural Greene County that have private wells should test for nitrate levels. Persons with a new baby should especially test, as nitrates can be bound with red blood cells and diminish the baby’s ability to carry the oxygen needed. This syndrome is called “Blue Baby.”
This EPA pen stroke provides an example of ELECTIONS RESULTING IN CONSEQUENCES.
A reader from two weeks ago responded…….
Who Was Amelia Monroe?
Janice Harbaugh responded to the question regarding Amelia Monroe and why her grave is marked with a metal grave marker indicating she was Grand Army of the Republic veteran.
Janice reports that Amelia was her step great-great-great-grandmother. Amelia was married to Janice’s great-great-great-grandfather, Job Stiles. Her research does not support the fact that Amelia was active in the war in nursing or support with food service. She does share that descendants of Amelia continue to be familiar names here in Greene County: Thayer, McCuen, Hughes, White, Wilson, and Hawn. Janice ponders if the marker may have been placed for her son-in-law Samuel, who served in the Civil War.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is written by Mary Weaver of rural Rippey.
