The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on its newly released draft impaired waters list. The document recommends the removal of 27 impairments from the 2018 impaired list.
The report also identifies surface waters that do not fully meet all applicable state water quality standards for their intended use and that need a water quality improvement plan. Of the 1,421 water segments studied, which include portions of rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands, 363 segments fully meet the Iowa water quality standards for their intended use, while 523 segments are identified as waters in need of further investigation and 767 segments do not fully meet the standards needed for their intended use and were impaired.
“An increase or decrease in impaired waters does not necessarily mean that the water quality in the state is worsening or improving. It often is a reflection of the additional monitoring we are conducting, changes in water quality standards, and changes in assessment methodologies,” says Roger Bruner, Supervisor of the DNR’s Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment section. “Impaired segments are often used for recreation and fishing, among other uses, so impairment doesn’t mean that the segments are unusable or that they necessarily will cause illnesses.”
For more information, contact Roger Bruner.
