Michael S. Regan & Meg McCollister
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20460
Administrator Regan & Regional Administrator McCollister,
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) would like to draw your attention to the urgency and level of concern over the water quality in Iowa’s Karst Terrain areas and the impact on our natural resources. CCI has signed a legal petition along with many other organizations urging the EPA to exercise its emergency powers to address groundwater contamination in the Driftless region.
The region has an extensive and well-documented history of nitrate contamination in its underground sources of drinking water, which continues to put the health of residents at risk. Iowa has had the 2nd highest rate of cancer for 2 years in a row alongside the growing 700+ impaired streams and rivers.
Thousands of Iowans connect the growing cancer rates to the quality of water and the factory farm industries license to pollute in Iowa. State regulators and elected officials have failed to enforce or pass any meaningful legislation to clean up our water. We hear increasing concerns from Iowans who have to rely on bottled water because the tap isn’t clean and pay large amounts of money to clean their wells.
Paired with this letter are the signatures of Iowans who are urging the EPA to take emergency action to protect the people of Iowa and our access to safe drinking water.
Sincerely,
Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
Jeanne Schwendinger from Des Moines, IA - Access to safe drinking water is essential to the health all Iowans from birth through death. Is there some reason the EPA is not doing its job by seeing to it?
Leann Arlen from Dubuque, IA - Apt. Water smells bad after running. Tastes terrible. Get cramps and diarrhea from the faucet. Bought 2 different water filters. Can only drink a couple glasses. Still get cramps and diarrhea. In the 70's water tasted great. Then we never had any problems with water. Others in the building also get daily diarrhea. I had the city test water a few years back and was told it was ok. Newspapers recently had an article about water, the place lied about our water not passing for Dubuque.
Patricia Fuller from Council Bluffs, IA - As a nurse, I am very concerned about the high cancer rates in Iowa. I am also concerned about the proliferation of factory farms and how negatively it impacts rivers and streams. I live on a lake in Iowa that has been recently impacted by E. coli. I am concerned about safe drinking water in the state, there seems to be no end to the approval of permits for factory farms, there should be at least one region in Iowa that remains an unpolluted respite.
Nancy Huisinga from Des Moines, IA - Citizens of Iowa need your help to stop the madness of animal waste killing our waterways and making us sick.
Mark Edwards from Boone, IA - Clean water is a fundamental right to life, not dependent on politicians, corporations or the law loopholes.
Karen Disbrow from Iowa City, IA - Clean water is essential for a healthy life. Help us !!!
Mary Taft from Iowa City, IA - Clean water is fundamental to our health. We must do all we can to protect it.
Valerie Stallbaumer from Ames, IA - Clean water is the most important and valuable resource. Life deteriorates without it.
Georgiane Perret, IA - Clean water now! I’d like to drink safe water from the tap and not have to buy it! Our lakes and rivers are so polluted that swimming poses a health threat, not to mention all the fish that are being killed due to contaminates. EPA do something about this! We want safe water!
Clare Smith-Larson from Altoona, IA - Don't let our drinking water get to the state of what's in Flint, MI and Jackson, MS.
Steven Grund from Grimes, IA - Everyone benefits from clean water!
Loras Coakley from Dubuque, CO - Former Iowa resident who hauled Iowa beef and pork to all points. I saw Iowa farms before the ruination of planting fencerow to fencerow and get big or get out and Iowa’s dabbling in OPEC. Density: Too much/Too many confined productions. Determine healthy animal populations per acre.
Donna Gwinnup from Oxford, IA - How can anything take precedence in the mind of anyone over water quality? Somebody better get pretty serious pretty quick about safe water. (One of the requirements for a habitable planet, I hear)
Helene Hembreiker from Iowa City, IA - I am very concerned about the poor quality of Iowa's water, especially our drinking water.
Janelle Nissen from Spencer, IA - I can't drink our city water, it smells like a chlorinated pool, and upsets my stomach.
Jason Rodenburg from Neola, IA - I think it is definitely overdue our water and quality of life is being affected 100%
Lula Palmer from Iowa City, IA - I want clean water to swim in.
Aaron Gwinnup from Oxford, IA - I'm a licensed engineer specializing in water resources management and water quality. I have a front row seat watching the Iowa state authorities sliding backward and avoiding common sense regulation of obvious pollution sources. Lobbyists are clearly in control of the Iowa legislature and governor's office, so we desperately need federal intervention to bring common sense oversight back to our state agencies.
Sally Browne from Jesup, IA - I'm a rural resident with a water well. This is a key issue for us.
John Congdon from Fairfield, IA - Iowa contributes 20% of the dead zone in the Gulf at the end of the Mississippi. Runoff from farming is a huge problem here also.
Brenda Brink from Huxley, IA - Iowa deserves the same treatment to improve our waters as Minnesota and their Karst Terrain. Our Karst Terrain is also a nitrate crisis in waiting. Please protect us in Iowa, also!
Zita Cashin from Conrad, IA - Iowa needs cleaner water. It’s up to all Iowans to ensure safe water. Manure and agricultural chemicals are becoming more prevalent in our waters by more frequent incidents such as leaks, spills and perhaps intentional dumping. The state leadership has decreased conservation staff and efforts to promote water quality. It’s shameful most of the lakes and waterways in Iowa have very poor quality of water and residents are unable to use natural water areas due to concerns about E-coli and other contaminants, many times with boil bans and notices of lake/beach closings. These incidents demonstrate a lack of concern to protect our water resources, public health and sustainable stewardship of Iowa’s land.
Sandra Alper from Iowa City, Iowa, IA - Iowa used to be First in the Nation in Education. Big Ag has turned Iowa into First in the Nation for Polluted Water
Margo Vanderhill from Alton, IA - Iowa waterways need protection. Our Karst regions are vulnerable to pollution.
Roxanne Jackson from Hanlontown, IA - Iowa will be unlivable without clean water. Protect our water including our aquifers!
Karen Manning from Maquoketa, IA - Iowans deserve clean water. We need better enforcement of existing laws.
Allie Koolbeck from Iowa City, IA - Iowans deserve safe and clean water!
Alene Rickels from Iowa Falls, IA - Iowans have the right to clean water. Protect our right to clean water. Thank you.
Laurel Klosterboer from MgGregor, IA - Our drinking water sources are among the most critical issues to attend to. Iowans can't give away this precious resource to industry, or have it made toxic by Iowa's main economic driver, agriculture. This petition suggests a start to remedying and protecting Iowa's foul water sources.
Karsen Duve from Des Moines, IA - Our water needs to be taken seriously. Billions of gallons are already being sold to greedy private businesses for private profits. Please step in to protect the little water we have left for what's actually important- the citizens of Iowa. We Matter.
Carol Bartles from Burlington, IA - Please address this issue. It lowers the quality of life for Iowans and it is hard to bring new people in knowing the danger they face
Nick Schutt from Alden, IA - Please do your job enforce the clean water act overflowing manure pits in flooded areas. Just imagine people cleaning their homes with flood water contaminated with hog waste! Please do something you have the power to do the right thing. Thank you
Barbara Helmick from Iowa City, IA - Please live up to your mission - protection of our water!
Dan Valentine from Clive, IA - Please take action to restore Iowa drinking water back to safe levels.
Stephen Tews from Bloomfield, IA - please, don't delay
Dale Steichen from Elgin, IL - protect our water
Dan Freeman from St. Ansgar, IA - Protect Iowa water
Kathleen Brown from Fairfield, IA - Save my water please
Victorine Hocker from Marengo, IA - Take action NOW to protect Iowans from this increasing threat to health and well being.
Victorine Hocker from Marengo, IA - Take action NOW to protect the health of Iowans and the rights of all to a clean environment and clean drinking water.
Jacquelyn Smith from West Des Moines, IA - The need for clean water in Iowa is desperate. Water to drink, fishing and recreation. Please help. All lake, rivers n streams are contaminated with E. coli and too many nitrates plus a lot of junk
Julie Finch from Des Moines, IA - The time is now. Every living being deserves clean water. A handful of people shouldn’t be allowed to ruin it for everyone else.
Jeanne Schwendinger from Des Moines, IA - This issue is long overdue. Our water is precious for this generation and those following us. Care for the Earth is essential for life.
Marsha Szymczuk from Des Moines, IA - Voluntary measures to end contamination of Iowa’s water are not working.
Chuck & Margaret Felling from Iowa City, IA - Water should be safe for life in Iowa
Renee Grummer Miller from Cedar Rapids, IA - We all need clean water. Please help.
Dan Freeman from St. Ansgar, IA - We are all connected by water, ground water, streams, aquifers. Protecting water protects us all.
Barbara and Jim Dale from Decorah, IA - We live in the area of the karst terrain and have great concerns for the effects of confined animal operations and their waste on our community's health and livelihoods.
Denise Matthes from North English, IA - we need to protect the water in Iowa and the quality!!
Lee Burleson from Des Moines, IA - When kayaking on certain central Iowa waters, it smells like sewage
Susie Petra from Ames, IA
Tom Mohan from Cedar Rapids, IA
Patsy Shors from Des Moines, IA
Sarah Godsil from North Liberty, IA
Leslie Davis from Marshalltown, IA
Patricia Slatin from Council Bluffs, IA
Donald Shepherd from Des Moines, IA
Berleen Wobeter from Toledo, IA
Katie Bryan from Des Moines, IA
Antonino Erba from Dubuque, IA
Rick Wit from Hoogezand,
Clyde Olsson
Thad Harvey from Huntington, WV
Marilyn Hall from Des Moines, IA
Hurd Hess from Fairfield, IA
Ashley Comer from Des Moines, IA
Brian Walshire from Rowley, IA
Jo Ann Kovar from Ames, IA
Emily Harmon from Des Moines, IA
Bill Douglas from Clutier, IA
Patsy Martinson from Decorah, IA
Maureen McCue from Oxford, IA
Wanda Wendt from Des Moines, IA
Gaye Wiekierak from Indianola, IA
Dianne Kobberdahl from West Des Moines, IA
Martha McCormick from Ames, IA
Maura McCarthy from Dubuque, IA
Steve Iverson from Newport Beach, CA
Jackie Rasmussen from Huxley, IA
Heather Nordin from Urbandale, IA
Tom Mohan from Cedar Rapids, IA
Marge Staudt, OSF from Dubuque, IA
Karen Beine from Floyd, IA
Gordie Felger from Hiawatha, IA
Steve Monk from Polk City, IA
Marilyn Hall from Des Moines, IA
Connie Johnson from Mason City, IA
Kate Narveson from Battle Lake, MN
Ginny Swift from Urbandale, IA
Warren Allely from Council Bluffs, IA
Eric Crouch from Ames, IA
Darrow Center from Tipton, IA
Sylvia Sorensen from Bettendorf, IA
Barry Cook from West Des Moines, IA
Doug Ramsdell from New York, NY
Erica Jaramillo from Des Moines, IA
Sharon Dunn from Davenport, IA
Thomas Carsner from Iowa City, IA
Aaron Wheelock from Des Moines, IA
Joel Wells from Iowa city, IA
Tamara Holmes from Coon Rapids, IA
Marguerite Fitch from Des Moines, IA
Jane Noble Davis from Washington, IA
Susan Hayes from Council Bluffs, IA
Dorothy Schwendinger from Dubuque, IA
Cheri Grauer from Winterset, IA
Rachel Formaro from Des Moines, IA
Mark Soenksen from De Witt, IA
Dorothy Schwendinger from Dubuque, IA
Mary Kirkpatrick from Iowa City, IA
James Berge from Kensett, IA
Miriam Patterson from Ames, IA
Eric Morse from West Des Moines, IA
Rachel Rovine from Coralville, IA
L. Darrel Wrider from Cedar Rapids, IA
Cathy Stahlman from Boone, IA
Wendy Keen from Iowa City, IA
Mary Argast from Fairfield, IA
Edward Hotchkin from Des Moines, IA
Sally Nelson from Goldfield, IA
Mary Scarcello from Johnston, IA
Nicole Weber from Cedar Rapids, IA
Diane Pierce from Ames, IA
Michele Shortley from Spencer, IA
Jeff Adams from Eldora, IA
Susanne Kennedy from Des Moines, IA
David Brown from Waukee, IA
Helena Hadek from Des Moines, IA
Brian Carter from Windsor Heights, IA
Kevin McKelvie from Cedar Falls, IA
Mary Ortner from Holstein, IA
Antonino Erba from Dubuque, IA
Jo Kassel from Boone, IA
Jane Leiker from Cedar Rapids, IA
Mary McGee Light from Iowa City, IA
Matt Russell from Coralville, IA
Todd Southworth from Waterloo, IA
Allison Castle from Muscatine, IA
Terri Burton-Wire from Ankeny, IA
Julia Rendon from Des Moines, IA
Dr. William Zales from Westfield, IA
Madelyn Mayberry from Marshalltown, IA
Clare Smith-Larson from Altoona, IA
Susannah Crichton from Clive, IA
Tom Formaro from Des Moines, IA
Robert Railey from Des Moines, IA
Jane Lando from Malvern, IA
Lynn Pleggenkuhle from Hawkeye, IA
Joshua Bishop from Des Moines, IA
Kathy Getting from Webster City, IA
Barbara Minear from Johnston, IA
Doug Minear from Johnston, IA
Lisa Rock from Pella, IA
Kathleen Snelling from Waverly, IA
Judith Neal from Fort Dodge, IA
David Eash from Urbandale, IA
Diane Rosenberg from Fairfield, IA
Anne Tews from Bloomfield, IA
Donald Wall from Ames, IA, IA
Hurd Hess from Fairfield, IA
Marilyn Gorun from Dubuque, IA
Elaine Donovan from Cedar Rapids, IA
Gaylen Wobeter from Iowa City, IA
Frank Belcastro from Dubuque, IA
Mike Kuhlenbeck from Des Moines, IA
Michelle Formaro from Altoona, IA
Janet Romine from Des Moines, IA
Barb Bass from Johnston, IA
Arie Sirotiak from Ames, IA
Kelly Garrett from Des Moines, IA
Cindy Ramer from Denver, IA
Jane Alexander from Jefferson, IA
Barbara Kalbach from Dexter, IA
Peggy & Tayner from Johnston, IA
Gary Debner from Keosauqua, IA
Christopher Lish from San Rafael, CA
Jon Betz from DeWitt, IA
Kathy Schnell from Belmond, IA
Ginny Swift from Urbandale, IA
Erik Sessions from DECORAH, IA
Jody Gibson from Des Moines, IA
Doug Johnson from Ames, IA
Jean O'Donnell from Des Moines, IA
Bradley Wilson from Springville, IA
Linda Martin from Decorah, IA
Tony Wobeter from Iowa City, IA
Ken French from LeMars, IA
Winifred Standing from Earlham, IA
Jo Ann Kovar from Ames, IA
Berleen Wobeter from Toledo, IA
Jodi Matthes from Williamsburg, IA
Michael Madden from New City, NY
Nicole Uhing from Des Moines, IA
Jeff Kisling from Indianola, WI
Joseph Luchman from Pleasant Hill, IA
Susan Eberly from Iowa City, IA
Mindy Kruckenberg from Cedar Rapids, IA
Kayleen Reeve from Iowa City, IA
Gene Jackson from Marshalltown, IA
Brian Walshire from Rowley, IA
Vicki Walshire from Rowley, IA
David Rust from Iowa City, IA
Nancy Nicholson from Iowa Falls, IA
Julie Luhr from Sioux City, IA
Ginny Anteim from Des Moines Iowa, IA
Rosemary Partridge from Wall Lake, IA
Carolyn Uhlenhake -Walker from Des Moines, IA
Deon Schmidt from Urbandale, IA
Matt Green from Council Bluffs, IA
Dean DePree from George , IA
Mandryx Riordan from Des Moines, IA
Colleen Sheely from Kalona, IA
Andrew Bartles from Burlington, IA
Madison Linkenmeyer from Seattle, WA
Marvin Grace from Carlisle, IA
Wendy Niemeyer from Waterloo, IA
David Damstrom from Spencer, IA
Nan Valentine from Clive, IA
Gene Jackson from Marshalltown, IA
David Matt from Fairfield, IA
Nicole McCanlies from Redfield, IA
David Damstrom from Spencer, IA
Steve Hultman from Crescent, IA
Sharon Johnson from Windsor Heights, IA
Barbara Beaumont from North Liberty, IA
Mary Starry from Solon, IA
Niki Hinton from Ankeny, IA
Pat Bowen from Iowa City, IA
Briana Hoffman from, IA
Jay Gilchrist from Iowa City, IA
Barbara Stanerson from Iowa. City, IA
Colette Brodersen from Coralville, IA