From Karon Finn
Creston
Headlines in the Creston News Advertiser on Friday, July 3, 2015 and Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015:
"IDNR: Green Valley Lake microcystin levels high"
"Green Valley Lake continues to combat algae issues"
High microcystin levels are found in phosphorus and nitrogen rich water. We’re told it’s because our soil is very nutrient-rich and we’re getting some fertilizer off the crop ground. My question is: “Why are we getting nutrient-rich soil and fertilizer in our waterways?”
Microcystin poisoning from exposure to contaminated water can cause rash, hives or skin blisters, gastrointestinal symptoms, runny eyes and nose, cough, fever, asthma-like symptoms, allergic reactions, and exposure to large amount of microcystin can cause liver damage. Microcystin poisoning can occur by swallowing the water, by having skin contact with the water or by breathing airborne droplets containing microcystins.
We’re told in an opinion column on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 in the Creston News Advertiser that the nitrate level in our drinking water was tested on June 17, 2015 and it was detected at 1.8 mg/L, which is low. Nitrates are only one of the elements we should be worried about in our drinkable water. The surface water of Twelve Mile Lake and Three Mile Lake supplies the drinkable water of Union County residents.
Bill Stowe, chief executive officer and general manager of Des Moines Water Works states: “lowans should be ashamed of surface water quality in this state...the state voluntary nutrient strategy designed to curtail pollutants though based on ‘sound science’ won’t repair the damage. What is needed is mandatory regulation and permitting of ‘non-point’ sources.”
In Barry Estabrook’s book “Pig Tales:” “Stowe has no problem laying the blame for Iowa’s drinking water problems on industrial agriculture, and particularly on factory hog production. Combined, he said crops and animal factories account for about 90 percent of the nutrient issues he has to ameliorate.”
“Until the leaders of Iowa Farm Bureau and the state of Iowa accept industrial agriculture’s responsibility for the worsening condition of Iowa’s surface waters and take productive steps to address the issue honestly, lowans will continue to pay a price.”