News
Iowa struggles as farm runoff causes soaring nitrate levels

June 5, 2013, Iowa – Drainage systems are working against the favour of Iowans as nitrate in water is reaching levels never seen before in the state. 

As Newser.com writes, a deluge of rain from a particularly soggy spring has caused fertilizer to be washed off farms into rivers that provide drinking water for the state. The problem is not new, but is made worse by last summer’s drought, and by drainage tiles installed beneanth many farms to channel excess water away from fields and intro streams. | READ MORE