Rural Iowa Communities' Water Quality Awareness, Engagement and Policy Preferences
Issue
Much of the current literature related to this topic focuses on farmers’ perspectives on water quality issues. However, buy-in from wider rural communities may have a significant impact on the success of both initiative development and implementation. We therefore aim to close this research gap.
Objective
Our project uses Geographic Information System (GIS) modeling, focus groups, interviews, and existing survey data to assess attitudes and awareness of water quality issues in rural Iowan communities. Additionally, we investigate residents’ awareness of these issues and associated programs aimed at tackling them.
Approach
GIS software will be used to create visually striking maps that will both inform our community selection and articulate our findings to stakeholders. Focus groups and follow-up interviews will allow us to identify rural citizen’s attitudes, perceptions and behaviors linked to water quality issues and associated programs. Existing survey data will also serve to inform our questioning and supplement GIS data. At the conclusion of this project, we will produce a series of technical reports and policy briefs tailored to communities and policymakers. Additionally, a working paper will be produced with the aim of disseminating our findings to improve water-quality initiatives and community outreach.
Project Updates
Note: Project reports published on the INRC website are often revised from researchers' original reports to increase consistency.
January 2025
Researchers created secondary data organization and repository file containing all identifiable and relevant public data on Iowa water quality concerns. Assessed and chose relevant data; created ARC GIS file and analyses compiling and layering data onto map of Iowa. Key data categories include health implications (cancer rates, contamination rates of rivers, contamination rate of streams, contamination rates of groundwater, well contamination, etc.) agricultural pollution sources (location of animal feed operations), and governance (priority watersheds [HUC-8], EPA success stories, watershed management authorities).
Attended Iowa Nature Conference. Created annotated bibliography of relevant papers.
Related accomplishments and activities
Made grant application: Community Water Stories Project: Understanding Narratives and Policy Preferences to Address Key Water Justice Issues in Arizona and Iowa; USDA AFRI Environmental Justice A1461; Research, Teaching, and Extension; $999,967