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Nitrate Crisis: Iowa's Manure Pollution Threatens Waterways

9/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Citizen water testing in Cedar River often finds nitrate levels above the EPA's limit of 10 mg/L, especially after heavy rains.
Iowa's agriculture produces 109 billion pounds of manure yearly, increasing nitrate levels in waterways.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers cause harmful algae blooms, threatening wildlife and aquatic ecosystems.
Manure spills from factory farms killed nearly two million fish in Iowa from 2013 to 2023.

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Story summary

Citizen water testing in Cedar River often finds nitrate levels above the EPA's limit of 10 mg/L, especially after heavy rains.
Iowa's agriculture produces 109 billion pounds of manure yearly, increasing nitrate levels in waterways.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers cause harmful algae blooms, threatening wildlife and aquatic ecosystems.
Manure spills from factory farms killed nearly two million fish in Iowa from 2013 to 2023.