New report reveals true costs of CAFOs in Iowa

https://www.iaenvironment.org/newsroom/water-and-land-news/new-report-reveals-true-costs-of-cafos-in-iowa?#

Des Moines, IA. – November 14, 2023 – Iowans are shelling out hundreds of millions of dollars to treat their drinking water and pay for treatment of life-threatening health care issues caused by nitrate pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the state, according to a new report published today by the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC).

The report, The Costs of CAFOs: Impacts on Your Wallet and Your Health, reviews data as part of a cost-benefit analysis published for the first time by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the state agency that manages CAFO compliance in Iowa. The DNR compiled the cost-benefit analysis as part of the agency’s rule review mandated by Governor Kim Reynolds in January 2023.

“It’s eye-opening to see what CAFOs are really costing Iowans, beyond just operator costs or what the oversight costs the DNR. Every Iowan is paying in some way for these operations – some more than others. Even if you don’t have a CAFO in your community, you’re probably paying higher water bills as utilities struggle to reduce nitrate in your drinking water. You’re paying healthcare costs as well, whether it’s direct medical bills or increasing healthcare premiums as Iowa’s cancer rate increases,” said Alicia Vasto, IEC Water Program Director.

The report looked at data and reports on drinking water costs, finding that if nitrogen pollution rates do not change, Iowans will spend up to $333 million dollars on nitrogen removal in drinking water systems the next five years. That spending weighs more heavily on rural Iowans and those in smaller communities, where individuals pay more per person for upgraded treatment systems or access to new water sources to meet the current nitrate standard of 10 mg/l in drinking water.

(note: it goes on to analyze Iowa's extremely high cancer rate)