KCCI Investigates: Could central Iowa see another lawn watering ban this summer?

Central Iowans are being asked to voluntarily conserve water this spring. Leaders of several water utilities held a news conference Monday morning, during which they said another irrigation ban — like last summer’s that lasted about 6 weeks — may be likely if we hit a hot and dry spell. The issue isn’t quantity of water overall, but of quality. High levels of the contaminant nitrate in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers are stressing the system, according to the leaders of Central Iowa Water Works, Des Moines Water Works and West Des Moines Water Works.”We are seeing water quality and quantity issues not only in Iowa but across the country,” says CIWW Executive Director Tami Madsen.Officials ask commercial and residential customers to go easy on watering lawns.The main sources of nitrates in Iowa’s waters are from agricultural sources, such as fertilizer runoff. Nitrates are essential for crop growth, but natural levels don’t support Iowa’s crops, making fertilizer essential.The Environmental Protection Agency guideline allows 10 milligrams per liter of nitrate in all treated drinking water. Central Iowa Water Works’ nitrate removal facility operates when levels are above that in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, the two main sources for drinking water in central Iowa.The facility has run consistently this year. Monday, when nitrate levels were 14.26 mg/L in the Raccoon River and 11.05 mg/L in the Des Moines River, marks day No. 111, according to CIWW, which says treated drinking water continues to meet the EPA standard of 10 milligrams per liter. “I think it’s important to understand that we are not starting the summer in as good of a position as we were in last summer,” said Des Moines Water Works CEO Amy Kahler.Last summer, a 40-day lawn-watering ban was needed when the nitrate removal facility could not keep up with peak demand. The summer months bring a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in water usage with lawn watering.KCCI Investigates got the test results for the entire year. Most days show high nitrate levels in the rivers.In March, the Des Moines River is at 11 milligrams per liter this month. The Raccoon River started at 15 milligrams per liter on May 1 and has stayed around 14. The Environmental Protection Agency standard for drinking water is 10 milligrams per liter of nitrate.”Data are telling us that an irrigation ban may be likely,” Madsen said.Nitrate poses a health risk, especially for young infants. Other studies show that exposure to nitrate levels between 5 and 10 milligrams per liter could still cause harm.To help provide acceptable water, CIWW has also been drawing water for several months from Maffitt Reservoir, where nitrate levels are near zero. CIWW revised its water use plan after lessons from last summer. The updated plan went into effect Friday. The plan includes:A new Stage 0 for ongoing water use education.Stage 1 is a 25% voluntary reduction.Stage 2 is a 50% voluntary reduction.Stage 3 is a full ban on lawn watering.But a few notable changes come at Stage 3.”Sod and seed could still continue under guidance provided by Iowa State University for wise watering of those resources. And then sports turf could still be irrigated to promote player safety and plant health,” Madsen said. “Splash pads could continue at the discretion of the cities who manage and maintain those splash pads again.“ ‘Emergency water supply’: Central Iowa Water Works draws water from Maffitt ReservoirIowa water quality: Central Iowa Water Works gets $25 million to double nitrate removal operationsCentral Iowa Water Works CEO Tami Madsen speaks about ‘significant investment’ in water quality upgradesDr. Michael Castellano comments on nitrates in Iowa’s waterways