IEC Welcomes New Water Program Director to Advance Council's Work on

Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Environmental Council has welcomed Ingrid Gronstal Anderson as the organization’s Water Program Director. Gronstal Anderson joins the Des Moines nonprofit from Iowa City, where she most recently served as an Environmental Compliance Specialist at the University of Iowa.

“I am thrilled to join the dedicated and passionate team at the Iowa Environmental Council and to continue the Council’s critical work of cleaning and protecting the water Iowans depend on. Our drinking and recreational waters are in a precarious state, with dangerous levels of nutrient pollution and harmful bacteria and algae blooms that threaten our health, the wellbeing of our communities, and the environment. I’m excited to work on behalf of all Iowans to protect this vital shared resource,” says Gronstal Anderson.

A western Iowa native, Gronstal Anderson developed a passion for water participating in water sports on the shores of Spirit Lake while growing up. “I’ve traveled extensively in the states and internationally, and Spirit Lake is still my favorite place to be. While Iowa doesn’t get the same attention as some other states for its outdoor recreation opportunities and natural beauty, Iowa’s lakes and rivers are phenomenal spaces, and we want Iowans to be able to enjoy them and use them. They shouldn’t have to worry about toxic algae or e. coli. Iowa’s beaches and shorelines should be a safe, clean place for everyone in our state and I am dedicated to taking the necessary steps to make that vision a reality.”

Gronstal Anderson completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Iowa. During her time at the UI, she completed courses at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory in Okoboji and a volunteer internship with the Dickinson County Naturalist. She went on to earn her J.D. at the University of Iowa. While at law school she was active in the Environmental Law Society and spent two summers interning at the nonprofit Plains Justice.

As an Environmental Compliance Specialist at the University of Iowa, Gronstal Anderson worked to ensure the university met all air and water quality requirements. She also served as the project lead on the UI Biomass Fuel project, intended to move the school from coal to renewable energy sources in the power plant located on campus.

“I have a long serving and active voice in protecting Iowa’s environment from land to energy to water. I have been inspired by IEC’s work – their focus on science-based, reasoned arguments, their efforts to engage policymakers on all sides, and their dedication to building successful bipartisan coalitions to see success.

We can find a way to clean Iowa’s waters. It will take hard work, it will take compromise, but it can’t take any more time. We must act - and act now - to move the needle to protect the health of Iowans young and old; to make our state an attractive place to live and work so we can retain great talent and attract new individuals, families, and businesses; and ensure that everyone has access to clean, safe water.”

1. drinking water
2. nitrate pollution
3. phosphorus pollution
4. public health
5. toxic algae
6. water quality