Des Moines, IA — Amidst growing calls for industrial agriculture pollution regulation, new research released today by the environmental group Food & Water Watch reveals how fertilizer corporations are profiting off worsening nitrate-driven water pollution and cancer crises in Iowa.

Nitrogen fertilizer use and water pollution have increased in lockstep since Iowa’s voluntary Nutrient Reduction Strategy was introduced in 2013, purportedly to reduce waterway nutrient loads. Since then, nitrogen fertilizer distribution in Iowa increased 25%. Today, Iowa has some of the nation’s highest waterway nitrate concentrations linked to cancers, birth defects, and more. Up to 97% of nitrogen in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, drinking water sources for over 500,000 Iowans, comes from agriculture — 40% comes from chemical fertilizers alone.

The new research details how the fertilizer industry is cashing in on this worsening nitrate crisis, at the public’s expense. Specifically:

• High fertilizer costs drive corporate profits: Last year, the top two U.S. fertilizer companies, CF Industries and Nutrien, which control 55% of the market, made over $4 billion in profits — an 88% increase from the year prior. Inflated costs accounted for much of the difference — the companies’ combined sales rose just 6.5% that year. Meanwhile, the CEOs brought in more than $23 million combined.
• High costs squeeze farmers: Since January 2025, Iowa prices for liquid nitrogen fertilizer are up 64%, 60% for urea (solid nitrogen fertilizer), and 51% for anhydrous ammonia (gaseous nitrogen fertilizer). The USDA anticipates these prices will rise another 16% this year, further squeezing farmers. Fertilizer accounts for 37% and 23% of input costs for corn and soy farmers, respectively.
• Iowans foot the bill for nitrate pollution: Des Moines Water Works’ nitrate removal facility costs up to $16,000 daily to operate, a cost that is shouldered entirely by ratepayers. From 2007-2024, water rates in the utility’s service area increased 160%.

Food & Water Watch Senior Iowa Organizer Jennifer Breon issued the following statement:

“Industrial agriculture polluters are ruining Iowa’s water, driving our cancer crisis, and bleeding farmers dry — and they’re making billions doing it. No one should be in the business of pollution. Iowa’s elected officials need to enact real regulations that crack down on industrial agriculture’s nitrate crisis to protect our drinking water and our health.”