No improvement to water quality standards in 2025 - EPA (opens original article in a new tab)

The EPA reports no significant improvement in water quality standards in 2025, with agriculture and wastewater nutrients remaining major challenges. High phosphorous and nitrate levels persist, affecting rivers and lakes, though some localized improvements were noted.

• No major improvements in water quality standards in 2025 according to the EPA report.
• Excess nutrients from agriculture and wastewater remain the main challenges with high phosphorous and nitrate levels.
• 43% of rivers have excessive nitrate concentrations, particularly in the east and southeast, while over 30% of lakes have high phosphorous levels in the border region.