CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Nitrate levels in the Cedar River and other rivers in the state are spiking due in part to last summer’s drought, according to KWWL News.
"We've seen nitrate levels in the Cedar River and rivers across Iowa have an increased nitrate level over the last few weeks," said Megan Murphy, utilities communication coordinator for the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
There is typically a rise in nitrate levels this time of year because of all the fertilizers being used in the soil, note the article.
Rain will usually wash the nitrates from the soil into the river, but because there was little rainfall last summer the nitrate levels have increased dramatically, stated the article.
"Since there wasn't much rain over the last year all of that nitrate, nitrogen and nitrate, has really built up in the soil so we're seeing higher levels now," said Murphy.
Currently nitrate levels in drinking water are still under the limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Read the entire article here.
