On Tuesday, the Iowa Environmental Council filed a petition with the Iowa Environmental Commission to fight against farm runoff and sewage waste that run into lakes. These contaminants have been linked to increasing numbers of health risks.

The new, proposed plan would set standards for water clarity, nitrogen, and phosphorus  at 159 public lakes.

The state standards would directly affect permits for 17 facilities, primarily city sewage treatment plants that discharge to streams that could pollute lakes. In general, farm chemical runoff is exempt from water quality standards; some large livestock confinements must have federal discharge permits.

To learn more about the petition, opposition, and more detailed plans, head over to the Des Moines Register.