This episode wraps up a month of sustainability and encourages us to begin to shift our focus toward our own environmental impact and how we use what has been given to us from the planet.

The consideration of water quality goes much beyond just our drinking water; it’s also the source of recreation for many, so keeping it clean means it will be safe for your family to boat, swim and play near as you reconnect with nature this Spring and Summer.  Ingrid Gronstal of the Iowa Environmental Council and I continue our discussion of where water pollution comes from and how each one of us can be a part of contributing to safer waterways. 

Ingrid shares the 3 main sources of water pollution and her thoughts on how waterways could be an avenue for resiliency in the state after disasters such as COVID-19.  By creating spaces near water to encourage people to get out into nature, be active, shop or socialize, it increases the likelihood that water would be seen more as a resource to be valued and taken care of while encouraging economic growth.

She emphasizes that it is a joint effort and that farmers also need the support to continue agriculture practices as it is such a large part of our economy in Iowa, so it’s important to have programs in place that also encourage farmers to care for the land that impacts the waterways. 

Ingrid gives some actionable steps we can take to ensure we are doing our part in contributing to safe recreational waters wherever we live.

Highlights & resources below.

Highlights:

{5:55}   How nutrient pollution affects recreational waters

{8:21}    Why the water is toxic when algae blooms occur

{10:31} Bacteria in the water

{11:15} Algae blooms and your pets

{12:45} How much of the water is affected by algae blooms

{14:36} Measures to prevent this pollution

{17:04} Benefits of conservation practices for the land

{17:46} Water as a resource to create resiliency as a state

{21:50} Creating farm programs that also support the message of water as a resource

{23:30} How you can help create more recreational waterways

Resources:

Links mentioned in this episode:

Iowa Environmental Council Website

On the water frequently in the summer?  Every Friday during the summer IEC sends our Weekly Water Watch, an e-newsletter with beach updates and other important water news. Click here to receive these updates.

Click here for the IEC analysis of the 2018 nutrient reduction strategy annual progress report

Click here for additional information on harmful algae blooms

More episodes like this one:

#32: Earth Day + What’s in Your Water, Part 1

#31: Sustainable Minimalism with Stephanie Seferian

#30: Herbal Medicine with Spiritus Vitae Botanicals

#29: Creating Less Waste in Your Environment

Guest Links:

Ingrid Gronstal   |   Water Program Director

Iowa Environmental Council

IEC On Facebook

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