Central Iowa Water Works calls for voluntary 50% reduction in outdoor water use
Central Iowa homeowners and businesses are asked to voluntarily reduce lawn watering by 50% — effective immediately. Central Iowa Water Works announced the Stage 2 action of its water use plan on Wednesday afternoon. The key reason is continued high nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, the two main surface sources for drinking water.The third source for CIWW, the infiltration gallery, is also experiencing unusually high nitrate levels. The gallery is a series of underground pipes that supply groundwater for treatment.Nitrates are considered a pollutant by the EPA. All drinking water must be at 10 milligrams per liter or lower.CIWW is running the nitrate removal facility to meet that standard as well as meet customer demand. Demand increases when lawn irrigation begins.Last summer, high nitrate levels led to the first-ever lawn watering ban. It lasted 40 days.Watering lawns adds 30 percent to 40 percent to water usage. CIWW and its 12 partnering communities follow an updated water use plan:Stage zero is no limit on water use and community education.Stage one is a 25 percent voluntary reduction in lawn watering.Stage two is a 50 percent voluntary reduction.Stage three is a full ban.Central Iowa Water Works is the regional authority responsible for drinking water treatment, water system planning and the wholesale delivery of water across urban, suburban and rural central Iowa — serving more than 600,000 Iowans. Central Iowa Water Works shares tips on how customers can conserve water During this stage of water conservation, Central Iowa Water Works customers are encouraged to:Reduce lawn watering by half and only water when neededLimit lawn watering to one or two days per week.Water during early morning hours to reduce evaporationShorten sprinkler run times by half and avoid watering shaded areasUse a shutoff nozzle when washing vehiclesDon’t hose off driveways or walkwaysInspect irrigation systems for leaks or broken sprinkler headsCheck sprinkler heads for overspray – avoid shooting water onto sidewalks or drivewaysCIWW also encourages customers to follow the regional even/odd watering schedule:Even-numbered addresses (122 Main St.): Sunday, Wednesday or FridayOdd-numbered addresses (123 Main St.): Tuesday, Thursday or SaturdayMost lawns do not require watering on all three days and may remain healthy with substantially less irrigation.Customers are strongly encouraged to avoid watering on Mondays because of high regional demand.KCCI Investigates: How county governments are keeping nitrate sensor network goingKCCI Investigates: Water quality issues, like nitrate pollution, persist for decades for Central Iowa
Central Iowa homeowners and businesses are asked to voluntarily reduce lawn watering by 50% — effective immediately.
Central Iowa Water Works announced the Stage 2 action of its water use plan on Wednesday afternoon. The key reason is continued high nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, the two main surface sources for drinking water.
The third source for CIWW, the infiltration gallery, is also experiencing unusually high nitrate levels. The gallery is a series of underground pipes that supply groundwater for treatment.
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Nitrates are considered a pollutant by the EPA. All drinking water must be at 10 milligrams per liter or lower.
CIWW is running the nitrate removal facility to meet that standard as well as meet customer demand. Demand increases when lawn irrigation begins.
Last summer, high nitrate levels led to the first-ever lawn watering ban. It lasted 40 days.
Watering lawns adds 30 percent to 40 percent to water usage.
CIWW and its 12 partnering communities follow an updated water use plan:
- Stage zero is no limit on water use and community education.
- Stage one is a 25 percent voluntary reduction in lawn watering.
- Stage two is a 50 percent voluntary reduction.
- Stage three is a full ban.
Central Iowa Water Works is the regional authority responsible for drinking water treatment, water system planning and the wholesale delivery of water across urban, suburban and rural central Iowa — serving more than 600,000 Iowans.
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Central Iowa Water Works shares tips on how customers can conserve water
During this stage of water conservation, Central Iowa Water Works customers are encouraged to:
- Reduce lawn watering by half and only water when needed
- Limit lawn watering to one or two days per week.
- Water during early morning hours to reduce evaporation
- Shorten sprinkler run times by half and avoid watering shaded areas
- Use a shutoff nozzle when washing vehicles
- Don’t hose off driveways or walkways
- Inspect irrigation systems for leaks or broken sprinkler heads
- Check sprinkler heads for overspray – avoid shooting water onto sidewalks or driveways
CIWW also encourages customers to follow the regional even/odd watering schedule:
- Even-numbered addresses (122 Main St.): Sunday, Wednesday or Friday
- Odd-numbered addresses (123 Main St.): Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday
- Most lawns do not require watering on all three days and may remain healthy with substantially less irrigation.
- Customers are strongly encouraged to avoid watering on Mondays because of high regional demand.
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KCCI Investigates: How county governments are keeping nitrate sensor network going
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KCCI Investigates: Water quality issues, like nitrate pollution, persist for decades for Central Iowa
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