DES MOINES, Iowa —

Polk County leaders have announced a plan to fund Iowa's water quality monitors, stepping in after state lawmakers cut $500,000 in funding for the program in 2023, which would have led to many critical river monitors going offline next summer.

These monitors are crucial as they record nitrate levels , which reached record highs last summer, affecting over half a million metro water customers who had to reduce water usage.

Matt McCoy, chair of Polk County Supervisors, said, "I think we have an obligation as county government to make sure that we're ensuring that the water our residents are drinking is protected."

There are approximately 60 water monitors across central Iowa, and the Des Moines Water Works has indicated that most would shut down without continued fun

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