US EditionCentral Iowa Water Works to Get $25 Million Boost to Treat Nitrates
The package also shifts funding to upstream conservation and adds $500,000 a year for statewide water quality monitoring.
- On Friday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a $25 million investment to expand Central Iowa Water Works' nitrate removal system, aiming to double its capacity within three years.
- Last year's unprecedented lawn-watering ban occurred when nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers spiked far above the Environmental Protection Agency's 10 milligrams per liter limit, necessitating the expansion.
- The funding is part of a broader $312 million state package over 12 years that reallocates money from underused programs to support infrastructure grants, rural loan funds, and increased monitoring by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
- Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Austin Baeth, criticized the plan as a 'drop in the bucket,' arguing it acknowledges the problem but lacks comprehensive upstream action for long-term solutions.
- Experts like Iowa State University professor Michael Castellano note that weather, not just farm runoff, drives year-to-year nitrate variability, suggesting infrastructure alone may require ongoing adaptation strategies.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Dems: Water plan lacks long-term investment, prevention
A new Iowa water quality plan would increase monitoring, expand infrastructure funding and invest in nitrate removal through Central Iowa Water Works.
Gov. Kim Reynolds introduces 'farm to faucet' water quality package
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, joined by Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, Michael Castellano, an Iowa State University professor and lead of the Iowa Nitrate Initiative, as well as Tami Madsen, executive director of Central Iowa Water Works, held a news conference May 1, 2026 about a proposed water quality investment package. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a water quality funding package Friday that she sa…
Iowa water quality: Central Iowa Water Works gets $25 million to double nitrate removal operations
Central Iowa Water Works will get $25 million for infrastructure improvements to deal with high nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, the governor announced in a news conference Friday morning.
Inside Climate News
ecotopical.comWith Fertilizer Pollution on the Rise, Iowa Will Invest $100 Million in Water Treatment
After years of worsening water quality, the move marks Gov. Kim Reynolds’ first official action to tackle harmful agricultural nutrients in state waterways. Critics say it’s “too little too late.”
Gov. Reynolds introduces 'Farm to Faucet' package to improve water quality
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Governor Kim Reynolds announced a 'Farm to Faucet' water quality funding package in Iowa, which includes $25 million for nitrate removal facilities in central Iowa. Gov. Reynolds announced the water quality funding package Friday morning during a news conference with Ag Secretary Mike Naig, Central Iowa Water Works, and leaders from [...]
charitonleader.com
Gov. Kim Reynolds introduces ‘farm to faucet’ water quality package
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a water quality funding package Friday that she said will move existing funding and add additional funds to renovate and expand water quality infrastructure across the state. Reynolds announced the proposal during a news conference,…
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