(August 14, 2025) Iowa’s water quality crisis is no longer a distant policy debate. it’s in our taps, rivers, and lakes. This summer, nitrate levels in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers surged, prompting central Iowa’s first-ever mandatory lawn watering ban while utilities struggled to treat the water. PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals,” have been detected in rural wells. Public beaches regularly close due to E. coli contamination. Fish kills continue to plague our waterways. Many water systems are nearing the breaking point.
The next Congress will determine whether to strengthen protections, fund cleanup, and hold polluters accountable, or to scale back safeguards and leave Iowans footing the bill. Both U.S. Senators and Representatives have the power to shape federal water policy, enforce environmental laws, and direct funding to communities.
Here are ten clear yes-or-no questions every Iowan concerned about clean water should ask 2026 candidates, each with a brief explanation of why it matters—and what’s at stake:
1. Do you believe the current federal drinking water nitrate limit (10 mg/L) is too high to adequately protect public health? Nitrate levels in Iowa’s source rivers have repeatedly exceeded this threshold, and research links lower nitrate concentrations to cancer and birth defects. Updating the standard could compel stronger protection for drinking water statewide.
2. Would you support increasing federal enforcement authority over agricultural pollution, a major contributor to Iowa’s water quality problems? Agricultural runoff is the leading source of nitrate pollution in Iowa. The Clean Water Act largely exempts farmland runoff; federal policymakers could expand enforcement or create new regulatory tools to address it.
3. Should eligibility for federal farm subsidies and crop insurance be contingent on adopting conservation practices that reduce nutrient runoff? Billions in agricultural subsidies flow with few strings attached. Tying payments to practices like cover crops or buffer strips could reduce pollution without cutting support for family farms.
4. Would you support federal matching funds to fully implement the Iowa Water & Land Legacy (IWILL) Trust Fund? Voters approved IWILL in 2010, but the fund remains unfunded. Federal matching could unlock hundreds of millions for conservation, water quality, and outdoor recreation projects across Iowa.
5. Do you support a moratorium on new or expanded Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) until water quality impacts are addressed? CAFOs contribute to nitrate and bacterial contamination. A pause would allow regulators time to assess and mitigate their impact before allowing more facilities.
6. Should federal penalties for polluters be increased to reflect the true cost of environmental damage and cleanup? In some Iowa cases, fish kills have been valued at pennies per fish. Stronger penalties could deter violations and better fund restoration.
7. Would you support a nationwide ban on nonessential PFAS uses and stronger federal cleanup requirements at contaminated sites? PFAS persist indefinitely, accumulate in the body, and are linked to cancer. Federal action could curb new contamination and accelerate cleanup in Iowa communities.
8. Should the federal government increase funding targeted to rural and small-town water systems to detect and remove contaminants? Many small utilities can’t afford advanced treatment or regular testing. Targeted federal assistance would help ensure safe water access for underserved communities.
9. Will you commit to publicly disclosing all meetings with industry groups and lobbyists regarding water and agricultural policy? Transparency helps Iowans understand whose interests are driving policy—and whether those align with public health goals.
10. If elected, will you make Iowa’s water quality crisis a national priority through legislation, committee work, and public advocacy? Leadership matters. Elevating Iowa’s water crisis in Congress could attract national attention, funding, and policy solutions that benefit the state for generations.
These are not abstract questions: each “yes” or “no” tells Iowans whether a candidate is willing to act—or whether they’ll accept the status quo. Some responses will be easy; others will reveal whether the candidate prioritizes public health or powerful interests.
Clean water isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about whether Iowa families can trust the water in their glass, the lake where their kids swim, and the river that flows through their town. It’s about whether future generations inherit something better, or worse. Let’s ensure our next representatives are prepared to fight for the water we all depend on.
Sources
Central Iowa Water Works — “CIWW Issues Lawn Watering Ban Effective Immediately.” June 12, 2025.
Central Iowa Water Works — “Stage III Daily Updates.” June–July 2025.
Iowa Public Radio — “Nitrate levels remain high in central Iowa rivers. Here’s a look at how water is tested and treated before the tap.” June 25, 2025.
Iowa Public Radio — “As water restrictions roll back in Des Moines, the nitrate problem isn’t going away.” August 6, 2025.
Iowa Capital Dispatch — “Data analysis: How do nitrate levels in central Iowa this year compare to last?” July 25, 2025.
KWQC-TV — “Environmental experts, lawyers say pollution in Iowa’s water leads to preventable suffering.” August 13, 2025.
City of Waverly — “Drinking Water Report” (PFAS notice). 2025.
PFAS Project — “State tells Eastern Iowa Airport to expand ‘forever chemical’ search (Swisher private wells).” April 7, 2025.
Iowa DNR — “Beach Monitoring | AQuIA (state beach advisories).” Accessed August 2025.
KCCI — “Iowa DNR: Swimming not recommended at these 16 public beaches.” August 2025.
Iowa Capital Dispatch — “Iowa Attorney General settles DNR cases for Agri Star and Nishnabotna River pollution.” July 30, 2025.
Iowa DNR — “Fish Kill Event #1045: East Nishnabotna River (749,242 fish).” March 2024.
U.S. EPA — “Exemptions to Permit Requirements under CWA Section 404 (agricultural exemptions).” March 19, 2025.
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation — “Iowa’s Water & Land Legacy (IWILL).” Accessed August 2025.
Iowa Environmental Council — “Nitrate in Drinking Water: Health Research Summary.” 2024.