US EditionCentral Iowa Water Works asks residents to reduce water use as nitrate levels soar
- Central Iowa Water Works banned all commercial and residential lawn watering effective immediately on June 12, 2025, in Des Moines and its suburbs due to near-record nitrate levels in rivers.
- The ban followed ongoing warnings about rising nitrate pollution from agricultural runoff, which has strained treatment capacity despite costly purification efforts since April 28.
- The utility serves 600,000 customers with water currently containing 9 milligrams per liter of nitrate, close to the EPA 10 mg/L safety limit, prompting calls for a voluntary 50% reduction in lawn watering.
- Executive Director Tami Madsen warned that if residents continue watering their lawns despite the restrictions, the water supply could once again fail to meet federal safety standards, prompting further action. Meanwhile, Polk County Health Director Juliann Van Liew described the situation as an urgent plea for assistance.
- The ban aims to prevent violations of federal nitrate limits and protect vulnerable groups, implying an urgent need for water demand reductions and potential future risks if use remains high.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Bulletin-Review
Near-record nitrate levels in Des Moines area rivers threaten drinking water
Officials are warning more than half a million Iowans that near-record levels of pollutants in rivers could make drinking water dangerous if immediate steps are not taken to reduce demand.
Lawn watering is now banned for more than a half-million central Iowans - Radio Iowa
Due to high nitrate levels from farm chemical runoff, the utility that supplies water to 600-thousand residential and commercial customers in the Des Moines area is imposing an immediate ban on watering lawns. Tami Madsen, executive director of Central Iowa Water Works, says nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, which supply the […]
Drinking Water in Des Moines Is Nearing Danger Levels
Local officials warned more than a half-million Iowans in the state's capital city and suburbs on Thursday that near-record level of pollutants in its rivers could make drinking water dangerous if immediate steps are not taken to reduce demand. But the officials declined to say what has caused the surge...
Associated Press News
Near-record nitrate levels in Des Moines, Iowa-area rivers threaten drinking water
Local officials are warning more than half a million Iowans in the state's capital city and suburbs that near-record level of pollutants in its rivers could make drinking water dangerous if immediate steps are not taken to reduce demand.
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