As stated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, nitrate and nitrite are nitrogen-oxygen molecules that can combine with many organic and inorganic compounds. Nitrate is the form commonly found in water, often in areas where nitrogen-based fertilizers are used. Similar to most Iowa rivers, nitrates are found in the Cedar River. The main source of nitrates according the DNR in the Cedar River (and in all impacted Iowa rivers) are fertilizers, including agricultural manure.
At the urban level, nitrates come primarily from fertilizing lawns, grass clippings, leaves, pet waste, wildlife droppings, and human sewage. Locally, the City of Cedar Falls implements practices and education to help decrease the risk of nitrates in the water. The City’s Public Works Department applies the minimum amount of fertilizer needed in area parks and has transformed multiple lawn areas into native plantings. The City has installed stormwater best management practices that filter the water, including permeable alleys, wetlands and bioretention cells, and plans to continue to explore this in the future. The City continually encourage residents to adopt best management practices at their homes, and to always pick up their grass clippings, leaves and pet waste via social media, digital, and print campaigns such as Cedar Falls Earth Week.
For more information on how you can help Cedar Falls be more eco-friendly, please visit https://www.cedarfalls.com/1542/Residents-Businesses and reach out to the City’s Stormwater Specialist at 319-273-8600.
For facts and education on nitrate levels in Iowa’s water (especially safe levels for drinking water vs. swimming and recreation)—and ways you can help—check out https://www.iaenvironment.org/blog/iowa-environmental-voice/iec-explainer-nitrates-and-public-health. You can also visit the Iowa Water Quality Information System (IWQIS) to learn more about nitrates and access local date at https://iwqis.iowawis.org/parameters.html.