Lauren Shotwell

Your Guide To IowaWatch's Investigation Of Iowa Well Water Quality

Many Iowans may not know what is in their water because their wells’ water quality is unregulated. But many of them with whom IowaWatch spoke with this past year said they largely were unconcerned about their wells that had high levels of nitrates and bacteria.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 16 Jan 2017

Your Guide To IowaWatch's Investigation Of Iowa Well Water Quality

Lead Present At Low Levels In Some Private Iowa Wells But Experts Say Paint Is Larger Concern

Lead-based paint and paint dust are a much larger concern than lead exposure through drinking water in Iowa, experts who spoke with IowaWatch said.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 22 Dec 2016

Lead Present At Low Levels In Some Private Iowa Wells But Experts Say Paint Is Larger Concern

Why You Should Plug An Old Well

Russ Tell, senior environmental specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, points to two main goals when plugging up old wells: protecting the aquifer and safety.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 22 Dec 2016

Many Iowans Ignore High Nitrate, Bacteria Threats In Their Wells

But sometimes southwest Iowans don’t take action to clean their drinking water supply even when they test their private wells and find unsafe water.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 21 Dec 2016

Many Iowans Ignore High Nitrate, Bacteria Threats In Their Wells

Past Studies Show Contamination Levels In Iowa's Rural Wells

The most recent statewide study of Iowa’s private wells, the Iowa Statewide Rural Well Water Survey Phase 2, found that nearly half of wells had detectible levels of nitrogen, bacteria or arsenic.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 21 Dec 2016

Past Studies Show Contamination Levels In Iowa's Rural Wells

Building A Database For Iowa's Wells

Testing on private wells through the Iowa’s Grants to Counties program is recorded in a Private Well Tracking System database maintained by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The database, in use since 2003, also includes information about things like well depth, age, location and constructio

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 21 Dec 2016

Crisis In Our Wells: Iowa’s Private Well Water Often Goes Untested, Presenting Unknown Health Risks

Many Iowans may not know what is in their water because their wells’ water quality is unregulated. Moreover, many well owners IowaWatch spoke with during an investigation this past year in counties across southwest Iowa said they largely were unconcerned about their wells, even though tests revealed

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 20 Dec 2016

Crisis In Our Wells: Iowa’s Private Well Water Often Goes Untested, Presenting Unknown Health Risks

Arsenic In Drinking Water Tied To Diseases

Ingested arsenic is associated with increased risks of certain types of cancer and with diabetes and cardiovascular and neurological issues.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 20 Dec 2016

Arsenic In Drinking Water Tied To Diseases

Some Private Well Water Quality Regulations Exist In Iowa

Iowa law does not require well water quality to meet any drinking water standards but wells fall under a handful of different regulations.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 20 Dec 2016

Some Private Well Water Quality Regulations Exist In Iowa

Potential Contaminants In Your Iowa Well Water

A consumer information booklet produced by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources lists potential contaminants that include nitrate, bacteria, sulfur, fluoride, arsenic, lead and radionuclides, which are carcinogenic radioactive elements that occur as uranium and thorium isotopes decay.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 20 Dec 2016

Your Guide To IowaWatch's Investigation Of Iowa Well Water Quality

Lead Present At Low Levels In Some Private Iowa Wells But Experts Say Paint Is Larger Concern

Why You Should Plug An Old Well

Many Iowans Ignore High Nitrate, Bacteria Threats In Their Wells

Past Studies Show Contamination Levels In Iowa's Rural Wells

Building A Database For Iowa's Wells

Crisis In Our Wells: Iowa’s Private Well Water Often Goes Untested, Presenting Unknown Health Risks

Arsenic In Drinking Water Tied To Diseases

Some Private Well Water Quality Regulations Exist In Iowa

Potential Contaminants In Your Iowa Well Water

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