Toxic Ties: What’s in Our Water


The Public Health Impact of Iowa’s Polluted Waterways!

Dr. Adam Shriver— Director of Wellness and Nutrition Policy at The Harkin Institute

A Vital Conversation on Water, Health & Policy in Iowa
Event Recap: Presentation by Dr. Adam Shriver, The Harkin Institute

We were honored to host Dr. Adam Shriver, Interim Director of Wellness and Nutrition Policy at The Harkin Institute, for an engaging and timely presentation on the links between agricultural pollution, water quality, and public health in Iowa.

Dr. Shriver shared details about The Harkin Institute’s current initiatives, including:

A forthcoming panel discussion on the 2025 Polk County Water Quality Report, and
A series of statewide Cancer Listening Sessions in collaboration with the Iowa Environmental Council.

These initiatives aim to shed light on how environmental factors—especially those linked to industrial agriculture—may be impacting Iowans’ health.

One of the most pressing issues discussed was Polk County’s recently released water assessment, which revealed that nearly 80% of nitrate contamination in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers—key drinking water sources for over 600,000 Central Iowans—comes from agricultural runoff.  The data raises urgent questions about water safety, land use, and long-term public health impacts.

The Cancer Listening Sessions are gathering real stories and data from across Iowa, exploring the possible links between environmental exposures and increasing cancer rates.  Dr. Shriver emphasized the importance of public engagement in shaping smarter, community-informed policies.

About Dr. Adam Shriver:
Dr. Shriver leads efforts at The Harkin Institute focused on clean water, sustainable agriculture, and public health. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and has held academic appointments at the University of Pennsylvania, University of British Columbia, and Oxford. His work bridges science, ethics, and policy to advance environmental and human health.