Environment (Water Quality) in Iowa

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HF 2687: A bill for an act relating to groundwater monitoring in the state, including the establishment of a pilot program, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2687 establishes a $100,000 pilot program to expand Iowa's groundwater monitoring by retrofitting up to 100 existing private wells owned by businesses or other entities with modern monitoring equipment. The program, running from 2026-2029, requires voluntary participation with property owner consent and sets standards for installation, data safety, and equipment (measuring water levels and temperature). All retrofit costs are covered by the state, and data collected will be shared with the Iowa Geological Survey for statewide analysis while giving well owners access to their own data. The program mandates a 2028 report evaluating the pilot's effectiveness before potential future expansion.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2267: A bill for an act relating to clean water projects and programs by requiring agencies to publish data regarding progress in meeting certain benchmarks.

SF 2267 requires Iowa's Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality (within the Department of Agriculture) to publish online, regularly updated reports tracking progress on state-funded clean water projects. These reports must include water quality data collected before, during, and after projects, specifically for initiatives monitoring surface water to establish benchmarks for goals like reducing pollutants or runoff. The bill applies to any state-funded program measuring nutrient levels, stormwater, or runoff, making the data publicly accessible via a joint agency website. This focuses on transparency for projects already authorized under existing water quality laws, without creating new programs or mandates.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2417: A bill for an act relating to animal feeding operations by providing for certain air and water quality regulations, including when two or more related confinement feeding operations are deemed to be a single operation, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

This bill clarifies when multiple livestock feeding operations must be treated as a single entity for environmental regulations. It defines "related operations" as facilities within 2,500 feet sharing manure systems, roads, water wells, or property ownership under common management. Operations meeting these criteria must combine their size calculations for regulatory purposes, including compliance with distance requirements for expansion. The law specifically prevents expanding related operations without meeting applicable distance standards. It directly affects large-scale livestock farms operating multiple facilities under shared management or infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 657: A bill for an act requiring the department of natural resources to identify specific animal sources of pollutants to a water of the state when determining the water’s inclusion on a list of impaired waters.

This bill requires Iowa's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to identify specific animal sources (like livestock or wildlife) and assign percentage contributions to fecal bacteria pollution before adding a water body to the state's list of impaired waters. It mandates that the DNR conduct microbial source tracking analysis to determine which animal species are responsible for pollution when compiling the federal Clean Water Act's 303(d) list. This directly affects the DNR's process for listing polluted waterways and could influence future pollution reduction efforts targeting specific sources. The requirement applies only when fecal bacteria is the identified pollutant causing impairment.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2264: A bill for an act providing for a manure management planning map.

This bill requires Iowa's Department of Natural Resources to create an interactive digital map on its website to help farmers and others applying manure from animal feeding operations (AFOs) avoid water pollution. The map identifies areas vulnerable to runoff based on terrain, weather, proximity to water sources, and fields covered by multiple management plans. It must be used before manure application, with operators verifying they consulted it when filing their manure or nutrient management plans. The map aims to reduce pollution risks by helping users adjust application timing and rates based on real-time environmental factors.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 19, 2026

HSB 713: A bill for an act relating to the use and withdrawal of Iowa’s surface and groundwater resources, including permitting requirements.

This bill (HSB 713) updates Iowa's water resource management rules by requiring permits for most surface and groundwater withdrawals. It directly affects agricultural, municipal, industrial, and recreational water users who must apply for permits before withdrawing water, with exemptions only for "nonregulated uses." Key provisions clarify "beneficial use" to include domestic, agricultural, and recreational needs while adding strict conditions: permits may be denied if withdrawals threaten long-term water availability, harm natural flow, or impair navigability. The bill also sets timelines for permit decisions (90 days for new applications, 30 days for renewals) and mandates that permits include conditions to mitigate environmental impacts.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HJR 2007: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of the people to a clean environment.

This bill proposes adding a new constitutional right to Iowa's constitution, guaranteeing every person access to clean water and air free from health-harming pollutants. It requires the state, acting as a trustee of natural resources, to conserve and restore public waters and air for current and future generations. The amendment is self-executing (taking effect immediately upon ratification) and mandates strict judicial review for any government action infringing on this right. It directly affects all Iowans and state agencies, fundamentally changing how environmental protections are legally enforced.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2261: A bill for an act relating to confinement feeding operations by requiring the installation and operation of pollution monitoring systems, and making penalties applicable.

SF 2261 requires owners of larger confinement feeding operations (excluding small animal feeding operations) to install and operate water pollution monitoring systems that track pollutants discharged to groundwater or surface water. These operators must report the collected data to Iowa's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) every 90 days, with the DNR publishing the data online and sharing it with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill applies to operations exceeding 500 animal units (e.g., large swine or cattle facilities), which are currently subject to less stringent regulation under Iowa law. Violations could result in daily civil penalties of up to $10,000.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

signed · Iowa · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 2534: A bill for an act relating to animal feeding operations by regulating shellfish, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2534 adds shellfish to Iowa's definition of "animal" under animal feeding operation (AFO) regulations. It establishes weight-based calculation rules: shellfish weighing 25 grams or more equal 0.001 animal units each, while smaller shellfish equal 0.00006 animal units each. Shellfish confinement operations can now choose to follow general water quality permitting instead of standard AFO requirements. This directly affects shellfish farmers by integrating them into the state's existing AFO regulatory framework.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HF 2395: A bill for an act relating to the use of fluoride-based additives in private and public water supply systems.

HF 2395 bans the addition of hydrofluorosilicic acid and other fluoride-based additives to both public and private drinking water systems in Iowa. It requires county health boards to set private water standards that prevent fluoride levels exceeding natural background amounts, and directs the environmental protection commission to establish public water standards with the same limit. The bill updates drinking water rules to ensure they align with federal standards while prohibiting artificial fluoride addition. This directly affects all public water utilities and private well owners subject to county health regulations. The policy change specifically eliminates the use of fluoride additives in water treatment, setting maximum allowable levels at naturally occurring background concentrations.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

All environment bills