Protect Iowa's Water Monitoring Network to Drive Informed Solutions

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The first step to repairing Iowa’s polluted waterways is understanding the problem — that’s why state-of-the-art water quality monitoring and publicly accessible data are critical. However, in 2023, the Iowa legislature removed funding from the statewide water quality monitoring network managed by IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering at the University of lowa. As a result of the budget change, the public stands to lose access to data from 60 sensors statewide. This is a direct threat to lowans' health and safety, while public concern over drinking and recreational water quality continues to mount.

The IIHR network tracks real-time nitrate concentrations, as well as other parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, discharge rates, and temperature. This Iowa Water Quality Information System monitors help to test the effectiveness of conservation practices identified by the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, as well as identify areas for improvement.

Complete our easy Action Alert below to tell your representatives to restore this vital network of water quality sensors. The Legislature should:

Appropriate $600,000 in recurring funds directly to the water quality monitoring program through IIHR at the University of Iowa.
Approve a one-time appropriation of $500,000 to replace aging equipment

Tell your legislators that clean water is critical for Iowa’s health and environment.

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Iowa Environmental Council
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iecmail@iaenvironment.org

Water quality monitoring legislation and funding

Subject: Protect Iowa’s World-Class Water Monitoring Network

Message:

Dear Legislator, The first step to repairing Iowa’s polluted waterways is understanding the problem — that’s why state-of-the-art water quality monitoring and publicly accessible data are critical. However, in 2023, the Iowa legislature removed funding from the statewide water quality monitoring network managed by IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering at the University of lowa. As a result of the budget change, the public stands to lose access to data from 60 sensors statewide. This is a direct threat to lowans' health and safety, while public concern over drinking and recreational water quality continues to mount. The IIHR network tracks real-time nitrate concentrations, as well as other parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, discharge rates, and temperature. This Iowa Water Quality Information System monitors help to test the effectiveness of conservation practices identified by the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, as well as identify areas for improvement. There is no other publicly available monitoring network in the state that provides water quality data at the same scale and level of detail as the Iowa Water Quality Information System. It is a nationally recognized asset that other states have emulated. I am asking you to: 1.) Appropriate $600,000 in recurring funding directly to the water quality monitoring program through IIHR at the University of Iowa. 2.) Approve a one-time appropriation of $500,000 to replace aging equipment. Thank you for your consideration,

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Tell your legislators that clean water is critical for Iowa’s health and environment.

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