Water watchers to sue Trump administration over polluted Iowa rivers

A coalition of clean water advocates has announced its intention to sue the Environmental Protection Agency over its handling of polluted rivers, lakes and streams in Iowa.

The EPA initially listed six Iowa streams as protected but reversed the decision in July 2025. In response, the nitrite-polluted waterways were removed from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Impaired Waters List.

Dani Replogle, staff attorney for the advocacy group Food and Water Watch, said the decision has far-reaching effects.

“These are stream segments in the Cedar River, the Des Moines River, the Iowa River, the Raccoon and South Skunk,” Replogle outlined.

The coalition, which includes Food and Water Watch and the Iowa Environmental Council, filed its intent to sue the EPA in 60 days if the agency does not act. The EPA has said it is considering tighter standards for Iowa’s drinking water but has not moved to protect it.

Waterways exceeding nitrates at 10 milligrams per milliliter of water are considered polluted by the EPA. However, recent research shows even half that concentration can be hazardous.

“There are water quality standards that are set to protect the health and environment in Iowa and these standards are being regularly exceeded,” Replogle pointed out. “EPA, for no rational reason, decided that wasn’t important enough to take action on.”

Environmental scientists added large agriculture operations in Iowa are polluting ground and surface water with manure runoff. Agricultural operators argued they are adhering to EPA rules and standards.

Related: WATCH: What Iowa needs to address its water quality problem