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To the editor:
I was recently carrying a jar of water from a local creek when a gentleman inquired what I was doing. I shared that I was testing for nitrates which prompted him to say, "At least it is getting better."
However, July nitrate readings of 30 and 20 parts per million in Brewer Creek don’t indicate improvement. High nitrate levels are closely correlated with our increasing cancer rates. "Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis," (2026) drew a straight line from synthetic fertilizer and agricultural manure runoff to cancer. While most states' cancer rates have declined, Iowa's rate is sharply increasing.
Inaction by both political parties has led us to this moment. The voluntary, market-based Nutrient Reduction Strategy isn't working.
Yet some Iowa candidates are finally willing to talk about solutions.
Leading the way is Chris Jones, a candidate for Secretary of Agriculture. Jones has an advanced degree in chemistry with a research focus on hydrology. He became a spokesperson for clean water at the University of Iowa by revising academic tracts for public consumption via the internet . Eventually his postings were published as a book, "The Swine Republic: Struggles with the Truth about Agriculture and Water Quality."
Truth and courage are needed by all of us to address the nitrate cancer crisis and protect our precious water. Please read "The Swine Republic." Meet Jones in Jewell on Aug. 1 or Stratford on Sept. 5. No need to act like lemmings while elected officials fearful of change lead us onward to the cancer cesspool.
Kathy Getting
Webster City
Member of Iowa CCI Action