Water quality has been a major news headline in 2025, and much attention was paid to the cause of nitrates in central Iowa water. However, a little farther south, equally concerning water quality issues are flying under the radar, to the detriment of the health of Ottumwa residents.

Many Iowans might not know that an old, contaminated coal ash landfill near the Ottumwa Generating Station is threatening our water supply and our health.

For decades, this landfill has been discharging contaminated water, including arsenic and other heavy metals, into the Des Moines River upstream of Ottumwa. Even though the nearby plant is run by Alliant Energy, its majority owner is actually MidAmerican Energy, which means our community is being........

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