DES MOINES, Iowa - Almost half of all bodies of water in Iowa are impaired, meaning they have pollution.
A review from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shows roughly two thirds of the state's rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs are impaired (61 percent of rivers and streams, and 67 percent of lakes and reservoirs).
The designation is made when the water does not meet at least one standard for drinking, recreation or the existence of fish. Water bodies that have had fish kills are included as impaired waters.
Iowa waterway are slightly less impaired than two years ago when the state last reviewed conditions.
This year, 45 percent of the state's 1,300 water body segments are impaired.
The water segments are divided into 5 categories, with categories 4 and 5 qualifying as impaired.
This year, DNR downgraded 99 segments from impaired status of Category 5 to Category 4, because the agency is planning to perform clean-up activity on them.
DNR's assessment and listing methodology and follow U.S. EPA guidelines set by the federal Clean Water Act.