“Iowa has 2.5 more CAFOs than the next highest state, Minnesota.” – Diane Rosenberg, JFAN Executive Director.
“We have the most heavily nitrate concentrated rivers in our nation.” – Larry Weber
Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors, Inc. – JFAN
Apr 7, 2026
Iowa’s real-time nitrate water sensor network is in danger of losing funding on June 30, 2026. But Iowa state legislators have the power to restore its funding this session. Larry Weber, Director of the IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering and the creator of the water quality sensor network, provides a solid look at how the Iowa Water Quality Information System network operates and why it’s so important to the health and safety of Iowans.
Weber’s presentation includes:
• Why the network is especially important for small municipalities in rural counties.
• How farmers, state agencies and more rely on data from the system
• How it’s different from DNR, USGS, USDA and IDALS sensors
• What unique and critical information they provide that keep Iowans safe.
• Plus a vibrant Q&A section
0:00 Introduction – Diane Rosenberg, JFAN Executive Director
4:54 Nitrate Sensors Presentation – Dr. Larry Weber
4:54 Background Information on IIHR and the Iowa Flood Center (as it relates to IQWIS)
16:28 Continuous Real-time Nitrate Sensors
37:30 Q&A Session
1:01:28 Action Steps
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Here are several ways you can take action.
1. Call or email your legislator. Find their info here. IARA put together a script, and talking points that you can use to make it easy to reach out.
2. Send your legislator the recording of the meeting and ask them to watch it. ‘
3. We recommend you also send them this briefing on the IIHR network developed by John Norris and Dr. Weber.
4. Take action with this Iowa Environmental Council Action Alert.
5. Attend a legislative forum scheduled in your area and ask about the water sensors.
6. If you in or near Fairfield, join us on Friday afternoon from 4-6 pm for a postcard party at Scream Ice Cream, 1401 Main Street, Fairfield, entrance on south side of building
7. Watch for a petition coming from JFAN on the water sensor network.
Additional Information about the Distinction Between the IIHR and DNR/IDALS Sensors
Adam Shriver, Director of Wellness and Nutrition at The Harkin Institute, addresses some misinformation floating about and points out the differences between the IIHR and the DNR/IDALS water sensors in his recent Substack column, These Two Things Are Not the Same.
Thank you for all you can do to advocate for funding for the IIHR water sensors. It only costs 32¢ per Iowan each year to properly fund the sensor network. Our public health and well being is worth 32¢!
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Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors, Inc.
PO Box 811
Fairfield, IA 52556
641-209-6600
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JFANIowa
JFAN is funded by grassroots support and gratefully welcomes your donations. https://www.jfaniowa.org/donate-today
JFAN is a member of the Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture (IARA)
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