Water quality now a top-three issue for Iowa voters

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A vast majority of Iowa voters continue to support funding the state's Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, according to a new poll by Meeting Street Insights released today.

Nearly seven in 10 Iowa voters (69%) support raising the state sales tax by three-eighths of a cent to fund conservation, clean water, and land protection efforts across Iowa. Public support remains strong across party lines, backed by 59% of Republicans, 85% of Democrats, and 65% of Independents. Compared to a 2021 poll commissioned by Iowa's Water and Land Legacy (IWILL), support of funding the trust remains steady and concern about water quality has continued to increase.

"Iowans are sending a loud and clear message to state leadership - water quality is no longer a back-burner issue - it's an urgent priority," said Kirk Leeds, Chief Executive Officer, Iowa Soybean Association. "Voters overwhelmingly support funding to provide rural Iowa with the tools they need to provide cleaner water, they remain ready to fund real solutions."

The steady support comes as public concern over Iowa's water safety reaches unprecedented levels. Alarm over poor water quality, polluted rivers, and farm runoff has roughly doubled since 2021:

• Escalating Concern: 66% of voters now view poor water quality as an extremely or very serious problem, up sharply from 32% in 2021
• Failing Grades for Rivers: 40% of voters give Iowa's rivers and streams a grade of "D" or "F" (up from 23% in 2021), with 19% giving an outright failing grade of "F"
• Top Legislative Priority: Water quality has jumped to the third-highest issue for the Iowa Legislature, ranking just behind inflation and public education

In 2010, 63% of Iowa voters approved a constitutional amendment to create the Trust Fund, establishing a permanent, dedicated revenue stream for water quality, soil conservation, habitat protection, and local park enhancements. However, 16 years later, the Trust remains empty because the necessary 3/8ths-of-a-cent sales tax increase required to activate it has yet to be implemented.

The poll shows that 75% of voters continue to back the original 2010 constitutional amendment that created the Trust Fund.

State lawmakers who support funding the trust fund also stand to gain strong approval from their constituents:

• Political Approval: State legislators who vote to fund the trust fund see a +49 point boost in voter favorability
• Governor Support: The next Governor garners a +37 point boost in favorability for supporting the measure

"Protecting our drinking water and conserving our natural land benefits every single community in Iowa," said Hannah Inman, CEO of the Great Outdoors Foundation. "The public support is firmly in place, giving legislators the confidence to move forward with these constituent priorities. The need to protect our water has never been more urgent."

IWILL is a broad-based coalition ranging from conservationists and sportspersons to farmers and business leaders who all believe cleaning Iowa's water and soil, and enhancing our habitat, will strengthen our economy, communities and improve quality of life.

To download an executive summary and the polling results, visit www.iowaswaterandlandlegacy.org/polling.

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SOURCE Iowa's Water and Land Legacy