Des Moines, IA- The Iowa Environmental Council is calling for updates to the system for measuring pollution in Iowa waterways.
Radio Iowa reports that the state’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy Program uses models to estimate nitrogen and phosphorus levels in Iowa’s water. Iowa Environmental Council water program director Ingrid Gronstal says that a lack of in-stream sensors makes it difficult to assess water quality accurately.
“The public needs to know what their tax dollars are going toward and whether that money is being spent wisely,” Gronstal says. “So, are we actually getting a water quality benefit out of that?”
According to the Iowa Environmental Council, the State of Iowa has spent 100 million dollars since 2013 on water quality projects, but a lack of real-time water measurements means it’s difficult to determine if the investments are working.
