In Iowa, the standard for recreational waters is no more than 200 bacterial colonies per 100 milliliters of water, but Flint Creek was found to have coliform bacteria readings in the thousands. Since the discovery, teachers, students, local officials, and landowners in the watershed have devoted considerable care to collecting data and putting together a plan for action. Further north, a response team of citizens and students is attending to more visible problems in the state's third largest lake. The problem is more than a matter of aesthetics, since the economies of the towns of Clear Lake and Ventura are closely tied to the lake. Now 26 different groups and agencies are involved, along with individuals such as Mike Connor, a professional engineer who has taken charge of the citizen water testing.
Volunteers regularly collect water data at a dozen sites around the lake and in the watershed.
A local Future Farmers of America chapter has also conducted soil testing to help homeowners set sensible goals for lawn and garden fertilization. The Flint Creek and Clear Lake groups are just two examples of the many volunteer water monitoring efforts active in Iowa. Some of the efforts, including projects in Burlington and Des Moines, involve a teacher and a small group of students. Others, like the Iowa Rivers Curriculum Project, join hundreds in regional networks. A state with citizens who have awareness of and appreciation for their local environment and the knowledge and skills to protect it.