Many Iowans want water to be clean

TODD DORMAN

The Gazette

Two polls tell a water quality stor y. In September, Iowa State University released what’s known as the Farm Poll, a survey of farmers on various issues, including water quality.

The report tracked farmers’ views of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy from 2014 to 2024. The strategy is supposed to be Iowa’s blueprint for reducing the flow of nitrates plaguing waterways.

Of course, farmers’ adoption of measures recommended by the strategy is voluntary. So, the strategy has made no meaningful progress.

The polling shows farmers, among 948 who returned surveys, are less concerned about water quality in 2024 than they were in 2014. In 2014, 76 percent of farmers surveyed said they are concerned about farming’s impact on water quality. In 2024, the level of concern slipped a bit to 70 percent. Farmers who agree nutrients from Iowa farms contribute to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico declined from 52 percent to 49 percent. Farmers who would like to improve conservation practices on their land fell from 72 percent to 63 percent.

Among new questions in 2024, 48 percent of farmers are “uncertain” whether Iowa will make progress toward clean water goals through voluntary action. And 49 percent are uncertain whether the Nutrient Reduction Strategy has “led to major reductions of nitrogen and/or phosphorus loss into waterways.”

It has not. Not even close. Another poll last month measured how important water quality is to Iowa voters. It was conducted by Global Strategies Group for Food and Water Watch.

That poll of 600 registered voters found that 58 percent of them consider water quality and water pollution a “very serious issue.” Just 14 percent say it’s not serious.

Seventy-three percent of Democrats say it’s a very serious issue, along with 69 percent of independents. Even 42 percent of Republicans believe it’s very serious, with another 36 percent saying it’s somewhat serious.

Majorities of Democrats and independents are much more likely to vote for candidates who make clean water a priority. Also, 70 percent favor prioritizing water quality over fears of regulation. Making pollution controls mandatory is strongly supported by 51 percent overall.

So, protecting water and cleaning up pollution is a top-tier priority for many Iowans. Most farmers are concerned about water quality, but nearly half don’t seem to know the reduction strategy has largely failed.

This is a job for leadership. We need elected leaders to tell us the truth, push for solutions that work, not just the politically safe ones, and rally public support. We need measurable benchmarks for success. And we need regulations.

Polls are a snapshot, but many Iowans have seen the bigger picture and want something done.

Comments: (319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette. com