Weekly update #9 Water Quality
What we did
We protested 6 AI data centers in Palo, Iowa, on 6/1. We won the Democratic Primary on 6/2 – officially the first nominee in 8 years. We met with and were endorsed by Senator Daryl Beall (retired). We marched in the Frontier Days Parade with the county party and other local candidates on 6/6, and also attended Frontier Days down at the Fort.
The Issues – water quality
This week, the most common concern I heard was about water quality, and it's one of the main reasons I’m running. The EPA suggests a nitrate threshold of 10 parts per million (ppm) or less. However, studies show even 5 ppm is linked to higher cancer risks, especially blood-related cancers like leukemia, prostate, and breast cancer. In babies, nitrates cause “blue baby syndrome” – a lack of oxygen in the blood that can be fatal. One in three low-income Iowans is at risk of exceeding safe levels. I’ve spoken with a nationally recognized MD in hematology who validated this: our cancer crisis isn’t about the common myth that "Iowans just have extra high alcohol consumption" – it’s about what’s in our water.
The problem
Iowa is the only state that has legislatively committed to an exclusively voluntary approach to agricultural pollution. That means CAFO leaks and fertilizer runoff go largely unchecked, especially given the Iowa DNR's compromise under the appointment of Kayla Lyons, a former agribusiness lobbyist. We see that in the 90,000 fish that died in Lizard Creek north of Fort Dodge, a little over a year ago. Corporations like Google target vulnerable communities to build data centers that use millions of gallons of water a day for cooling, drawing from aquifers we don’t even track. Over 300 people, including myself, showed up on Monday to oppose a project in Palo set to build six. They see what we all should: these corporations suck us dry and leave. Even at Kennedy Park outside Fort Dodge, I tested over 50 ppm today during a youth fishing event (hosted by the wonderful group, Youth Empowerment Association), which is one reason our kids don’t swim in local ponds anymore.
The solution
We need frequent, accurate water quality monitoring, funding that has been stripped, and monitoring is often done by our neighbors who volunteer through groups like the Iowa Environmental Council. That’s not an accident, it’s a choice. In 2010, 62% of Iowans voted on a ballot measure to fund water quality efforts. Legislators simply avoided it by never implementing the sales tax tied to it. The first step to fixing a problem is measuring it. The cost of monitoring is negligible compared to the cost of cancer, dead fish, and the loss of our natural resources. We need a data center moratorium, a gentleman at Palo spoke about safer cooling systems he uses – that he cites these mega corporations as lacking care and using water as the cheap way. I’ll fight for mandatory testing, real enforcement, and holding polluters accountable, because clean water should be a basic right – not a joke coming out of The Lorax.
Where we’re going
Ice Cream Social Fundraiser – June 20th, 3 PM Link for tickets: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kw.icecream
Knocking more doors in Fort Dodge
Noteworthy posts
Link to speaking at Palo against the 6 data centers - https://www.facebook.com/61579789080435/videos/pcb.122156780666992969/1321844885938100
Link to Senator Beall endorsement - https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122157000878992969&set=a.122110321880992969
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