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(Iowa City, IA) -- Pollutants in major Iowa rivers have increased 100% in the last 50 years.
Those were the findings shared by researchers at a symposium on water quality in the state yesterday in Iowa City.
Sixteen scientists who compiled five decades of data on the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers say the state is not doing enough to address the issue.
High nitrate levels in both rivers that supply the Des Moines metro with drinking water forced water restrictions this summer to allow purification equipment to keep up with demand.
The scientists say the state's 50 year-old water plan needs to be updated, while encouraging farmers to plant cover crops to decrease runoff.
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