What is Central Iowa Water Works' water use plan?

In the waters of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. some of the highest nitrate levels in the country. You’re always going to measure nitrate in the water throughout the year. David Swartney is *** University of Iowa professor and the director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination. Water seems to be nearly always on his mind. In the fall, the nitrate levels go down, he says. Right now things are sort of where they typically are, not near the peaks which we see in the summer months. So let’s go back to summer. On *** hot July day, KCCI investigators follows Bill Blue Bow as he collects samples from the rivers. So wherever our water goes, that’s I go and test it. These plastic bottles, once filled, go to the lab chemist at Des Moines Water Works. I’ve been here going on 25 years. I’ve been doing this for about 18. Nitrates will be one of many contaminants tested. Bluebell draws samples Monday through Friday all year long. Sometimes I go to Walnut Woods or wherever I go, and when it’s real bad, sometimes I’ll have to go to the pumping station at the Des Moines River and go inside and dip down inside to get it, but not too often. I can usually find flowing water somewhere. Blue Bough’s job is just one part. The Des Moines Water Works has been at the heart of the fight to remove nitrates from water for decades. KCCI investigates talked with former Des Moines Water Works CEO Ted Corrigan in his last week on the job. He says battling the nitrate levels has remained *** consistent part of his 30 years at the utility. This year it certainly feels like *** bigger challenge, but nitrates have always been *** challenge. Concern about nitrates goes all the way back to the 1980s. Studies show it can cause circulation problems, especially in babies. For instance, in 1986, KCCI reported on *** report from the Iowa. Environmental commission. The groundwater is *** high priority in this state. In the early 1990s, Des Moines Water Works took *** big step and built the nitrate removal facility. Corrigan was fairly new when it opened. I remember LD McMullin saying, I hope someday this is the largest nitrate removal museum in the country because we don’t need it anymore, when he was talking about some of our efforts upstream, but It has not gone that way. The plant runs when the nitrate levels are high in the rivers or in the network of pipes underneath Waterworks Park that bring in groundwater for treatment. It was called the largest facility of its kind when built. Some years we don’t use it at all. This year we’re using it *** lot. In the early 2000s, Bill Stowe became an advocate for removing nitrates. His efforts as Des Moines Water Works CEO resulted in *** lawsuit against three Northwest Iowa counties. This is not something that bubbles up and then goes away forever. We need to be prepared for this kind of nitrate concentrations on our rivers. After years in the courts, the lawsuit was dismissed. Des Moines Water Works saw high levels of nitrates in 2013 and 2015. And this summer, that facility ran for 112 days in *** row. And that brings us back to Bill Bluebau. He stands by the water utility’s work. That’s all I drink is Des Moines Water Works.

What is Central Iowa Water Works’ water use plan?

Updated: 10:27 PM CDT Jun 8, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Central Iowa Water Works adopted a five-stage water shortage plan after the region’s first-ever lawn watering ban in 2025 highlighted how quickly water quality issues can strain the metro’s drinking water system. On June 8, 2026, CIWW issued its second-ever lawn watering ban.The restrictions were prompted not by a lack of water, but by near-record nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers that limited the utility’s ability to treat enough water while staying within federal drinking water standards. Related video above: Water quality issues, like nitrate pollution, persist for decades for Central IowaMore than 600,000 customers were asked to reduce water use before a mandatory lawn watering ban was put in place. The water shortage plan outlines the steps Central Iowa Water Works can take — from voluntary conservation measures to mandatory water rationing — when water supplies or treatment capacity are under stress. Here’s what each stage means for customers.Stage 0 — Water conservation Water conservation is encouraged year-round, regardless of drought conditions.There are no mandatory restrictions on water use at this stage.Residents and businesses are encouraged to make everyday choices that reduce water consumption, such as fixing leaks, watering efficiently and avoiding unnecessary water use.The goal is to build conservation habits before water supplies become stressed.Stage I — Water watch Water providers ask residents to voluntarily reduce lawn watering by 25%.Customers are encouraged to delay or skip irrigation when possible, especially after rainfall.Outdoor water use should be limited to what is necessary to maintain landscapes and gardens.The stage serves as an early warning that water supplies may be under increasing pressure.Stage II — Water alert Residents are asked to voluntarily cut lawn watering by 50%.Outdoor watering should be limited to essential uses only.Customers are encouraged to use water as efficiently as possible both indoors and outdoors.Utilities may increase public messaging and conservation efforts as water supply concerns grow.Stage III — Water warning Mandatory restrictions take effect.Lawn watering is prohibited for residential, commercial and government properties.Newly installed sod and seeded areas may still be watered under irrigation guidelines established by Iowa State University.Cities may decide whether to continue operating splash pads.Golf courses and sports turf facilities may continue limited irrigation to maintain plant health and safe playing conditions.Water providers can enforce restrictions and take additional steps to protect available supplies.Stage IV — Water emergencyMandatory emergency measures are implemented.Water rationing takes effect to ensure available supplies meet essential needs.Utilities may limit how much water customers can use and restrict nonessential activities.Emergency actions are intended to protect public health and maintain critical services until water supplies recover.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Central Iowa Water Works adopted a five-stage water shortage plan after the region’s first-ever lawn watering ban in 2025 highlighted how quickly water quality issues can strain the metro’s drinking water system.

On June 8, 2026, CIWW issued its second-ever lawn watering ban.

The restrictions were prompted not by a lack of water, but by near-record nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers that limited the utility’s ability to treat enough water while staying within federal drinking water standards.

Related video above: Water quality issues, like nitrate pollution, persist for decades for Central Iowa

More than 600,000 customers were asked to reduce water use before a mandatory lawn watering ban was put in place.

The water shortage plan outlines the steps Central Iowa Water Works can take — from voluntary conservation measures to mandatory water rationing — when water supplies or treatment capacity are under stress.

Here’s what each stage means for customers.

Stage 0 — Water conservation

• Water conservation is encouraged year-round, regardless of drought conditions.
• There are no mandatory restrictions on water use at this stage.
• Residents and businesses are encouraged to make everyday choices that reduce water consumption, such as fixing leaks, watering efficiently and avoiding unnecessary water use.
• The goal is to build conservation habits before water supplies become stressed.

Stage I — Water watch

• Water providers ask residents to voluntarily reduce lawn watering by 25%.
• Customers are encouraged to delay or skip irrigation when possible, especially after rainfall.
• Outdoor water use should be limited to what is necessary to maintain landscapes and gardens.
• The stage serves as an early warning that water supplies may be under increasing pressure.

Stage II — Water alert

• Residents are asked to voluntarily cut lawn watering by 50%.
• Outdoor watering should be limited to essential uses only.
• Customers are encouraged to use water as efficiently as possible both indoors and outdoors.
• Utilities may increase public messaging and conservation efforts as water supply concerns grow.

Stage III — Water warning

• Mandatory restrictions take effect.
• Lawn watering is prohibited for residential, commercial and government properties.
• Newly installed sod and seeded areas may still be watered under irrigation guidelines established by Iowa State University.
• Cities may decide whether to continue operating splash pads.
• Golf courses and sports turf facilities may continue limited irrigation to maintain plant health and safe playing conditions.
• Water providers can enforce restrictions and take additional steps to protect available supplies.

Stage IV — Water emergency

• Mandatory emergency measures are implemented.
• Water rationing takes effect to ensure available supplies meet essential needs.
• Utilities may limit how much water customers can use and restrict nonessential activities.
• Emergency actions are intended to protect public health and maintain critical services until water supplies recover.