Iowa DNR is the lead agency in addressing nonpoint source pollution through the administration of the Section 319 program and other water quality programs. Several other programs with a tie to NPS pollution are highlighted below:
- Iowa's 305(b) report: Water quality assessments are conducted for Iowa's waterbodies and are included in the 305(b) report. The assessments show a number of NPS pollution sources are affecting the quality of Iowa's surface waters and groundwaters.
- Water quality standards: Iowa DNR manages water quality through implementation of water quality standards. Even though sediment and nutrients are the major NPS pollutants in Iowa, currently there are no numerical water quality standards for those pollutants. However, Iowa expects to adopt nutrient standards in the near future, after EPA develops nutrient criteria for the states to use. It is anticipated that many of Iowa's waters will not meet the nutrient criteria EPA is currently developing, therefore, these waters may be found to be impaired.
- Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act requires that, before a federal permit or license can be granted, the state water quality agency (DNR in Iowa), must certify the proposed action will not violate state water quality standards.
- The Iowa DNR interactive mapping website includes mapping applications containing various types of natural resource information users can view and print. Available information includes: water wells; Iowa lakes; water monitoring locations; a watershed atlas, and more. The watershed atlas provides GIS data on watersheds, including 8, 10 and 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code areas; aerial photography; topographic information; landcover; etc.
- In Iowa, agriculture is the major nonpoint source of pollution impacting the state's surface waters. While the Iowa DNR is the lead agency in addressing NPS pollution in the state, other agencies and organizations are involved with varied levels of responsibility in protecting Iowa's water resources from NPS pollution. Iowa's 319 NPS Program works closely with the state's Water Protection Fund and Watershed Protection Program Fund, which are administered by the Division of Soil Conservation in the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS/DSC).
- The NPS Program also works closely with the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), which is administered by the UDSA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The most recent Farm Bill included potential increases in EQIP funding available to address soil and water conservation issues. EQIP funding is used for many conservation activities, including some that reduce erosion, address nutrient and pest management, etc., which, in turn, may reduce NPS pollution.
- Agricultural drainage wells (ADWs), sinkholes, and poorly constructed or
abandoned water supply wells allow agricultural pollutants to be discharged directly into groundwaters.
- Livestock production and Confined animal feeding operations: Livestock production in Iowa also contributes to NPS pollution. Overgrazing and cattle walking along streambanks increases the amount of sediment in streams, and wading in streams and ponds allows for manure to directly enter the water. In addition, feedlots, confined animal feeding operations and land application of manure can cause NPS pollution problems.
- On-site residential wastewater systems (septic systems, etc.): Between 300,000-400,000 Iowa households use on-site systems (such as septic systems) for disposal of wastewater. An estimated 100,000 of these systems are outdated and do not adequately treat household sewage. If household sewage is not properly treated and is discharged into the landscape, it can pollute surface water, groundwater and water wells.
- Stormwater: Many recent studies have shown water runoff from industrial and urban areas contains many of the same pollutants found in municipal and industrial discharges. Heavily graded construction sites can cause large amounts of sediment to enter surface waterbodies. Some stormwater discharges in Iowa are regulated while others are not.
- 303(d) list of impaired waters: Waters found to be impaired and whose impairments will not be corrected through existing pollution control programs are to be included on the state's 303(d) list.
- Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs): TMDLs will be established for each waterbody and pollutant on the state's 303(d) list. Many of the impairments to waterbodies in Iowa are the result of NPS pollution.
- IOWATER volunteer monitoring: A volunteer water quality monitoring program is ongoing in the state. The IOWATER program provides training and equipment to individuals to allow them to properly collect water samples from lakes and streams in Iowa.
- Wellhead Assessments: Nonpoint source pollution impacts many drinking water wells in Iowa. Many municipalities are required to conduct wellhead assessment reports to figure out what sources of pollution might impact the drinking water wells and develop a plan of action to minimize potential pollution impacts.
- State Revolving Fund (SRF): Many nonpoint source pollution
controls qualify for low-interest loans through the SRF.
Other Questions?
Contact the DNR Nonpoint Source Program Staff
Other Helpful Links
DNR Contact
Steve Hopkins
DNR Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov
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