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New development in Iowa water quality dispute

There’s a new development in the water quality dispute between Des Moines Water Works and Iowa farmers.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership says it wants to help find a solution to the dispute.  The business group wants to bring together business, farming, water, environmental and legislative leaders to find long-term solutions to Iowa’s water quality issues.

In a recent interview with Brownfield, Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey reiterated his belief that a cooperative and voluntary approach to addressing water quality issues will be more effective than a regulatory approach.

“I’d certainly challenge (the idea) that regulations or lawsuits are going to make it happen faster,” Northey says. “I think the way we engage folks is we show them that they should be interested. We give them the tools and they engage and innovate, and bring new ideas, and use their expertise to figure out how they should implement pieces on one farm versus another farm.  How they can come up with their own tools that they can share with their neighbors.”

The Des Moines Water Works lawsuit against three northwest counties is scheduled to go before a federal judge next summer.

AUDIO: Bill Northey

Link to previous stories on this subject