Central Iowa Water Works Urges Residents to Conserve Water Amid High Nitrate Levels
Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) is urging residents in the Des Moines metro area to voluntarily limit their water usage as summer approaches. This request comes in response to unusually high nitrate levels in the area's raw drinking water sources, which have persisted since January. At a recent news conference, CIWW officials, along with leaders from Des Moines Water Works and West Des Moines Water Works, highlighted the potential for another lawn watering ban this summer if current conditions continue. Last year, a similar ban was implemented due to high nitrate levels in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, which threatened the drinking water supply. The ban was lifted in late July. CIWW serves approximately 600,000 people and has been running its nitrate removal system extensively, costing up to $16,000 per day. State lawmakers have allocated $25 million to CIWW to upgrade its nitrate removal facilities, potentially doubling its capacity within three years. 
