New Report Says Iowa’s Water Is Contaminated With Toxins

Well, this is unsettling.

According to KCRG in Cedar Rapids, a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project and Earth Justice claims Iowa has contaminated groundwater.

Nine water plants around the state, including QCA's own Muscatine Power & Water CCR Landfill, contain unsafe levels of pollutants. Arsenic, sulfate, and cobalt, among other contaminants, are present in the water at the plants.

So how exactly did these toxins end up in the water system?

According to the story, coal-fired power plants seem to be the culprit.

"The report says landfills and ponds used to store coal ash from those plants are often unlined, letting toxins leach into groundwater."

Other area water plants that contain unsafe pollutant levels include Burlington Generating Station and Prairie Creek Generating Station in Cedar Rapids. According to the study, Iowa is one of 39 states shown to contain contaminated groundwater.