Theme Overview: Agriculture and Water Quality in the Cornbelt: Overview of Issues and Approaches

Abstract

<p>More than three decades have elapsed since the passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with its stated goal of zero discharge of pollutants into the nation's waterways. Yet, water quality remains poor in many locations and considerable loading of pollutants continues. This is particularly true for agricultural sources of water pollution and is typified by the Upper Mississippi River Basin, where more than 1,200 water bodies appear on the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listing of impaired waterways.</p>