MIDDLETOWN, IOWA — The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP) has made great progress in cleaning up pollution in the groundwater near its site. According to recent test, RDX (Royal Demolition Explosive) chemical concentrations have significantly decreased in farmland south of IAAAP.
“This recent success represents a significant evolution in the IAAAP’s remediation strategy,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Nosse, commander of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.“However, a mission of this scale is never a solo effort. This critical environmental project simply could not have been accomplished without the steadfast support, technical expertise, and resources provided by the Army Environmental Command.”
In 2022, the team used a special method called Enhanced Degradation. The government installed 20 wells along Highway 61 near Wever, Iowa, to add natural materials into the underground water. These materials help soil microbes break down the RDX faster.
The safe limit for RDX in water is less than 2 micrograms per liter. Since the treatment started, the areas with very high RDX levels have completely disappeared. The overall treatment area has also shrunk by almost three-quarters compared to 2007.
“We are feeding natural microbes to decrease the concentration of RDX in the ground water,” said Nosse. “The microbes feed on the explosive compound RDX, breaking it down. “Recent test results indicate that the enhanced organic formula is performing exceptionally well, with microbial activity showing strong, sustained improvement.”
“These results reflect the Army’s commitment to environmental stewardship and long‑term community health. IAAAP will continue building on this momentum to ensure a cleaner, safer environment for local residents,” said Nosse