KCCI Investigates: County, water utility share same stage 10 years after water quality lawsuit
KCCI Investigates: County, water utility share same stage 10 years after water quality lawsuit
The 2015 lawsuit pitted farmers and rural leaders against the water utility and more urban residents.
Parties on opposite sides of a water quality lawsuit met on stage this weekend as collaborators rather than legal rivals.
An event on water quality efforts in agriculture brought together residents from north-central counties and Des Moines Water Works representatives.
“I’m pretty certain 10 years ago a car from Des Moines Water Works may not have been welcomed in Calhoun County. We recognize that,” said Amy Kahler, now-CEO of DMWW, the capital city’s water utility.
In 2015, Des Moines Water Works, then under the leadership of Bill Stowe, sued Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac counties over nitrate-containing farm runoff making its way down the Raccoon River for the water utility to treat.
The 2015 lawsuit pitted farmers and rural leaders against the water utility and more urban residents.
“How has the Des Moines Water Works’ perspective on ag changed or modified from that time to where you sit today?” asked Zack Smith, a farmer and member of the Lobe Rangers group that organized and hosted the event Saturday.
Kahler, as part of a panel, took the question in front of more than 150 attendees.
“I think it is a testament to how our approach has changed, and that really says it all right there. In recent years since the lawsuit you referenced, we have really changed and expanded our approach to focus on collaboration and partnerships,” Kahler said.
The lawsuit was thrown out.
And the fight for clean water changed, going from the courts to Iowans coming together over a potluck lunch on Saturday.
“Things could not have gone better,” Smith said about the event’s turnout. “We have had beyond capacity of people show up from all walks of life. We’ve got Republicans, Democrats, farmers, independent folks.”
The Lobe Rangers took to social media in February to share how they farm with conservation practices in mind to preserve Iowa’s water and soil quality. They post regular videos and other content.
Saturday was the group’s first “IRL” or “in real life” event.
“This has been a fantastic day,” Smith said.