The biggest source of water pollution in the United States remains largely outside the law. (Spanish language version available.)

A headline in the Des Moines Register recently attempted to reassure readers that “Iowa’s Water Rarely Exceeds Lead Limits.” This statement isn’t the confidence-booster it’s meant to be. For one thing, federal limits on lead in drinking water aren’t protective enough, especially for those most vulnerable to lead poisoning: pregnant women and bottle-fed infants. And the foremost water issue for many in Des Moines isn’t lead (although it may well be a concern). It’s pollution from the farms that surround the city, which is infiltrating the city’s drinking water supply.

Source: Concerns About Drinking Water Go Beyond Lead | Earthjustice