Scientists dive into their findings on water quality issues facing central Iowa – Iowa Public Radio

 

Executive Summary: Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment (CISWRA)

A comprehensive two-year assessment of the Des Moines and Raccoon river watersheds in central Iowa was commissioned by Polk County to address public concerns regarding water quality and availability. The Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment (CISWRA), conducted by sixteen experts, provides a detailed analysis of hydrological and ecological conditions. The findings highlight significant challenges to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean water, health, climate action, and sustainable ecosystems. The report concludes with a series of action steps at the local, regional, and state levels aimed at restoring and protecting these vital water resources.

Key Findings and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Climate Change and Water Quantity (SDG 13 & SDG 6)

Changes in climate patterns are directly impacting water flow and availability, posing a threat to water security and infrastructure, which are central to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

• Annual precipitation in the region has increased by approximately 20% since 1950, from an average of 30 to 36 inches.
• Rainfall is increasingly delivered in shorter, more intense bursts, a trend projected to continue. The National Climate Assessment Report forecasts a potential 10% increase in the heaviest 5% of rain days by 2050.
• These intense rainfall events lead to greater surface runoff and increased frequency and severity of flooding, particularly from May through July.

Drinking Water Contamination: A Challenge to SDG 6 and SDG 3

The assessment reveals severe contamination issues that directly impede progress on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

• Nitrate Concentrations: The Des Moines and Raccoon rivers rank in the top 1% for nitrate concentrations among over 2,000 U.S. rivers surveyed.
  • Agricultural sources account for the majority of nitrates: 40% from fertilizers, 20% from manure, and 20% from nitrogen-fixing crops like soybeans.
  • Atmospheric deposition (rain and snow) contributes 18% of the nitrate load.
• Other Contaminants: The water systems face a complex mixture of pollutants.
  • Harmful algal blooms, which can release toxins (microcystins) dangerous to human health, are a significant concern.
  • The presence of pesticides, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products further complicates water treatment and safety.

Public Health, Recreation, and Ecosystem Integrity (SDG 3 & SDG 14)

Water quality degradation poses direct risks to public health and aquatic ecosystems, affecting targets within SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

• Pathogen Risks: E. coli levels in streams frequently exceed recreational water quality standards, with some areas exceeding the standard 60-80% of the time, particularly after rainfall.
• Antibiotic Resistance: The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, originating from both human wastewater and livestock operations, presents a growing public health threat.
• Food Safety and Ecosystem Health: Contaminants bioaccumulate in fish, posing a risk to the nearly half of Polk County’s 32,500 licensed anglers who consume their catch. This underscores the need for regular fish testing to protect human health and monitor the health of aquatic life as per SDG 14.

Agricultural Production and Environmental Impact (SDG 12 & SDG 15)

Current agricultural practices, particularly within the livestock industry, create significant environmental pressures that conflict with the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Manure Volume: The watersheds receive over 300 million pounds of nitrogen and 55 million pounds of phosphorus from manure annually.
• Industry Trends: Two major trends exacerbate the issue:
  1. The state’s hog population has grown from 15 million to nearly 25 million since 2000.
  2. The industry has consolidated, with the average operation size in the watersheds increasing from 1,000 to over 6,000 hogs.
• Nutrient Imbalance: In many areas, the volume of manure produced exceeds the nutrient uptake capacity of available cropland, leading to excess runoff into waterways.

Strategic Recommendations for Achieving Water-Related SDGs

A Multi-Level Action Framework (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)

The CISWRA report proposes a comprehensive set of recommendations that require collaboration across all levels of governance, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. State Level Actions:
   • Provide additional funding for upgrading wastewater treatment systems.
   • Develop a publicly accessible database to map agricultural land use and inventory manure management plans.
   • Establish partnerships to create a total maximum daily load (TMDL) pollution list and set clear reduction benchmarks.
2. Regional and Watershed Level Actions:
   • Implement programs to restore and protect freshwater and riparian habitats.
   • Develop comprehensive watershed management plans that account for climate-driven variability in water supply.
3. Individual and Community Level Actions:
   • Encourage citizen participation in reporting environmental incidents, such as fish kills.
   • Promote volunteer involvement in water quality data collection and monitoring.

The Critical Role of Data in Measuring Progress

The report emphasizes that achieving these goals is contingent upon robust monitoring and data analysis to identify pollution hotspots, track trends, and measure the effectiveness of interventions. A significant challenge has emerged with a planned reduction in state funding that is expected to decrease the number of in-stream nitrate sensors from 80 to 20. This reduction in monitoring capacity represents a step backward and undermines the ability to make informed, data-driven decisions essential for protecting Iowa’s water resources and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article addresses public health concerns related to water quality. It mentions risks from waterborne diseases due to E. coli, the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and harmful algal blooms that release toxins like microcystins, which “can make people sick and affect their skin, liver and nervous systems.” It also raises the question of whether fish are safe to eat due to the bioaccumulation of contaminants.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• This is the central theme of the article. It focuses on the comprehensive analysis of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, which are primary drinking water sources. The article details the severe pollution of these rivers with nitrates, pesticides, PFAS, and bacteria, questioning if “Central Iowa Water Works have enough clean water to serve a growing metro.” It also discusses the need to protect and restore these water resources.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article frames the water quality issue within the context of the Des Moines metro area. The assessment was commissioned to answer questions about the sustainability of the water supply for a “growing metro.” It also touches upon the impact of climate change-induced flooding, a significant risk for communities.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article directly links water pollution to agricultural production patterns. It highlights that a majority of nitrate pollution comes from “agricultural land: 40% from fertilizers, 20% from manure applied to land.” It also discusses the unsustainable growth and consolidation of the hog industry, where there is “too much manure and not enough crop ground to apply it on,” pointing to unsustainable production methods.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article connects changing climate patterns to water resource challenges. It states that “annual precipitation in Polk County increased roughly 20% from 1950 to 2023” and that climate scientists predict “more extended dry periods broken by intense rainfall.” This directly impacts river flows, runoff, and flooding, requiring adaptation measures.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Although focused on freshwater, the principles of this SDG apply. The article discusses the impact of pollution on aquatic ecosystems, noting that harmful algal blooms reduce “oxygen for aquatic plants and animals” and that manure spills can cause “fish kills.” The need to test fish for contaminants also relates to the health of aquatic life. The land-based nutrient pollution described is a primary driver of coastal dead zones, connecting the local issue to broader marine health.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article discusses the health of the Des Moines and Raccoon river watersheds, which are terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. It highlights how land use, particularly agriculture, impacts these ecosystems. One of the key recommendations is to “restor[e] and protect… freshwater and riparian habitats,” which is a core component of SDG 15.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s discussion of health risks from E. coli, microcystins, pesticides, PFAS, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the water directly relates to this target.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The core question of whether there will be “enough clean water to serve a growing metro” speaks directly to ensuring safe drinking water.
• Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution… and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. The article is a deep dive into this target, detailing pollution from nitrates, manure, E. coli, and chemicals, and recommending actions to reduce this pollution.
• Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment (CISWRA) and its recommendations for “action steps at the local, regional and state levels” is a clear example of pursuing integrated water management.
• Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems… including… rivers. The recommendation to “restore and protect the Des Moines and Raccoon river watersheds” and their riparian habitats aligns perfectly with this target.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce… the number of people affected… by… water-related disasters. The article’s mention of increased “runoff and flooding” due to more intense rainfall caused by climate change relates to this target.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes… and significantly reduce their release to… water and soil. The article’s focus on pollution from agricultural fertilizers, pesticides, and the massive amounts of manure from the hog industry directly addresses the need for better waste and chemical management in production systems.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article highlights the need to adapt to climate change impacts, such as increased intense rainfall and flooding, and recommends “planning for more variability in the drinking water supply.”

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including… nutrient pollution. The article’s detailed analysis of nitrate and phosphorus pollution from agricultural land and manure is a direct examination of the land-based nutrient pollution that this target aims to reduce.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. The entire assessment of the river watersheds and the specific recommendation to “restore and protect freshwater and riparian habitats” directly support this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Nitrate Concentrations: The article states the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers are in the “top 1% for nitrate concentrations” among over 2,000 U.S. rivers. Tracking this concentration over time would be a direct indicator of water quality improvement (Target 6.3).
• E. coli Levels: The finding that “E. coli in our streams is overall much higher than at our beaches” and “exceeds the standard as much as 60-80% of the time” serves as a key indicator for recreational water safety and public health risk (Targets 3.9 and 6.3). The weekly testing at state beaches is an existing monitoring mechanism.
• Nutrient Loads from Manure: The article quantifies the annual nutrient production from manure in the watersheds at “just over 300 million pounds” of nitrogen and “about 55 million pounds” of phosphorus. Monitoring these figures would measure progress in managing agricultural waste (Target 12.4).
• Presence of Harmful Algal Blooms and Microcystins: The mention of harmful algal blooms and the weekly testing for microcystins at state beaches is an indicator of ecosystem health and public safety (Targets 3.9, 6.3, and 14.1).
• Fish Contaminant Levels: The recommendation to “do a better job of regularly testing those fish” for contaminants implies that the level of bioaccumulation in fish is a critical indicator of water pollution and food safety (Target 3.9).
• Livestock Density: Data showing the increase in hog population from “15 million… to 25 million” and the consolidation into larger operations serves as an indicator of the pressure on the ecosystem from production patterns (Target 12.4).
• Frequency and Intensity of Rainfall: The statistic that “annual precipitation in Polk County increased roughly 20% from 1950 to 2023” and the prediction of a “10% increase in the 5% rainiest days by 2050” are indicators used to track climate-related hazards (Target 13.1).
• Number of Water Quality Sensors: The article laments the expected drop in the “number of nitrate sensors in rivers from 80 to 20,” highlighting that the robustness of the monitoring network itself is a crucial enabling indicator for tracking progress.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: Reduce illnesses from water pollution and contamination.	Presence and levels of E. coli, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and microcystins. Levels of contaminants (e.g., PFAS, pesticides) in fish tissue.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	6.1: Achieve access to safe drinking water. 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution. 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management. 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems.	Nitrate concentrations in rivers. Frequency of water quality standards being exceeded for E. coli (e.g., “60-80% of the time”). Implementation of watershed management plans (e.g., CISWRA). Number of active water quality monitoring sensors.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.5: Reduce the impact of water-related disasters.	Data on increased frequency of flooding events.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.4: Environmentally sound management of wastes and chemicals.	Total pounds of nitrogen (300 million) and phosphorus (55 million) from manure produced annually. Number and density of livestock (e.g., increase from 15 to 25 million hogs).
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards.	Percentage increase in annual precipitation (20% from 1950-2023). Predicted increase in intense rainfall days.
SDG 14: Life Below Water	14.1: Reduce marine pollution from land-based activities, including nutrient pollution.	Frequency of harmful algal blooms. Incidence of fish kills from manure spills.
SDG 15: Life on Land	15.1: Conserve and restore inland freshwater ecosystems.	Implementation of projects to restore riparian habitats.

Source: iowapublicradio.org