By Andi Anderson
Farmers and landowners now have access to a new educational resource designed to help them better understand and monitor nitrate levels in water. The guide supports practical water testing and aims to strengthen decision-making related to nutrient management and conservation practices.
The Iowa State University Iowa Nutrient Research Center has released a free publication titled Guide to Water Quality Testing for Nitrate. The guide is available through the ISU Extension Store and focuses on simple and affordable ways to test nitrate concentrations in surface water and tile drainage water using test strips or testing kits.
The publication explains why nitrate monitoring is important for agricultural areas. It provides clear instructions on how to use nitrate test strips, including how to read color charts and interpret results correctly.
The guide also explains the difference between nitrate and nitrate nitrogen, helping users better understand what their test results mean. In addition, it shares information on typical nitrate levels commonly observed in Iowa waters.
“Nitrate levels in Iowa’s water can be influenced by a number of different factors, such as fertilizer and manure application in a watershed, conservation practices on the landscape and precipitation events,” said Kay Stefanik, assistant director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and co-author of the publication. “Testing for nitrate in water in agricultural areas can help farmers and landowners better understand how much, and potentially where, nitrate is lost from their farm operations. This knowledge can be used to make more informed decisions when choosing which conservation practices to adopt.”
The guide also offers practical advice on when and how often to collect water samples. It includes tips for collecting accurate samples and explains how to send samples to laboratories, such as the State Hygienic Laboratory, for more precise testing when needed.
To further support users, an additional publication titled Iowa Water Monitoring Data Resources is available. This companion resource lists federal, state, and local agencies that provide water quality and stream flow data, helping users access broader monitoring information.
Together, these resources are designed to promote environmental stewardship and support informed farm management.
By improving understanding of nitrate movement in water, the publications help farmers and landowners take steps to protect water resources while maintaining productive agricultural systems.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Iowa, Education