The Iowa Source Water Protection Program and the Iowa Source Water Agricultural Collaborative are partnering to recognize Source Water Protection Week from September 27 to October 3 by raising awareness about the importance of protecting Iowa's drinking water, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced.
This year, the collaborative is highlighting conservation funding opportunities presented by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Source Water Protection priority watersheds, as well as ongoing resources available to private well owners through the Private Well Grants Program. "Safe drinking water is essential for healthy families and strong communities," the DNR said.
The NRCS helps landowners and agricultural producers protect drinking water sources by providing financial and technical assistance for voluntary conservation practices. By identifying Source Water Protection priority areas and offering increased incentives for water quality practices, the NRCS empowers producers to implement agricultural systems that reduce nutrient runoff, promote soil health, and safeguard both surface and groundwater public drinking water systems.
While public water systems are regularly tested and regulated, thousands of Iowans rely on private wells as their main source of drinking water. Unlike public systems, these wells are not subject to routine monitoring, meaning the responsibility for ensuring water quality falls directly on the well owner. Without regular testing and proper maintenance, wells can be vulnerable to contamination, potentially putting households at risk.
Private well owners can learn more about the Private Well Grants Program or contact their county sanitarian. Media inquiries can be directed to Matthew Dvorak, DNR Source Water Protection Coordinator, at 515-322-7727.
In separate announcements, the DNR listed recent enforcement actions. A consent order requires Brandon Gingerich of Iowa County to pay a $3,000 administrative penalty. An administrative order requires Rhonda Guy of Jasper County to comply with all conditions of a drinking water and wastewater operator two-year probation, submit a comprehensive Corrective Action Plan and an Operation and Maintenance Plan, physically log facility visits, submit equipment status documentation, submit all missing written sampling plans, provide monthly compliance summaries, and pay a $1,000 administrative penalty plus a stipulated $500 per future violation penalty.
The DNR Air Quality Bureau has draft permits up for review. Title V Operating Permit applications were submitted by MidAmerican Energy Co. - Merl Parr CTs in Charles City and Bunge Corporation in Council Bluffs, both with comment periods ending October 24. A construction permit application from Koch Fertilizer Wever, LLC proposes modifying the short-term hourly nitrogen oxides emission limit for its Nitric Acid Plant, with the comment period ending October 23.
The DNR Water Quality Bureau has posted draft water use permits for review. The Cedar Rapids Water Department proposes an Aquifer Storage and Recovery project withdrawing up to 394.0 million gallons per year at a maximum rate of 2,200 gallons per minute, with comments due October 21. The City of Hinton requests a modified permit for up to 65 million gallons per year at 445 gallons per minute, with comments due October 14.