Central Iowa officials ban lawn watering to avoid potential 'water crisis'
Central Iowa Water Works officials on Thursday imposed a ban on lawn watering. The ban is effective immediately and in place until further notice for the 600,000 residential and commercial customers the regional water authority serves.
Video above: Central Iowa Water Works executive director says, 'Stop watering our lawns to avoid a water crisis'
It's the latest and most drastic water reduction strategy officials have put in place to avoid violating the Environmental Protection Agency standard limit on nitrates in our water.
The water works' nitrate removal facility has been running since April 28. Recent tests of water sources show nitrate levels are close to surpassing the allowable amount.
In a previous interview with vlog, water officials said they turn on the facility when tests show 8 or 9 milliliters of nitrate per liter. The EPA standard is 10 milliliters. The standard was set in the 1990s because of what is known as "blue baby syndrome."
Officials declined to explain what they believe has caused the surge in nitrate levels, which has historically been tied to runoff from farmland draining into Des Moines-area rivers.
Tami Madsen, the executive director of Central Iowa Water Works, said if that EPA standard is violated, "We will have to issue a notice to all of you to let you know that pregnant women and children are unable to drink the water that we are producing."
CIWW tests multiple samples each day and has a lab onsite.
“We are pulling all levers at our treatment facilities and nitrate removal processes to prevent a violation,” Madsen said. “Now we need full cooperation from the public. This is no longer a voluntary request.”
CIWW officials on May 30 asked customers to voluntarily reduce lawn watering by 25%, then, on Wednesday, asked for a 50% reduction.
Madsen said during Thursday's news conference that their requests for voluntary water reductions made no "noticeable reductions." "If we could've gotten the voluntary restriction to have been adhered to, we wouldn't be in this situation now asking for everyone to not water their lawns."
Madsen highlighted the difference between essential and nonessential water and said the restrictions "could continue for days, weeks — it all depends on what the nitrate level in the river continues to do."
"Whenever we have nitrate or poor source water quality, the first thing that needs to be reduced is lawn watering," she said. "Lawn watering is a nonessential use of water. Essential uses of water would be drinking, hygiene — things that your family does every day to stay alive. Lawn watering is not something that you do to stay alive every day."
FULL NEWS CONFERENCE: Central Iowa officials explain reason behind water restrictions
Madsen said there's "a chance we could get to the next stage — water rationing — but that's not even on the radar," as of Thursday.
"This is a call for help," said Juliann Van Liew, Polk County Health Department director. "For you to help us make sure that we're keeping our water and the nitrate level in a safe space for those most vulnerable in our community."
According to a news release, any residential or commercial customer observed by Central Iowa Water Works or a member agency watering their lawn will be notified of the violation. If lawn watering does not cease, water service could be disconnected.
There are 600,000 customers for CIWW, the regional water authority.
'This is a call for help': Polk County Health Department Director explains dangers of high nitrates in water
Who is banned from watering their lawns?
The ban affects all CIWW member agencies, including:
- City of Ankeny
- City of Clive
- Des Moines Water Works and communities served by Des Moines Water Works (Alleman, Berwick, Bondurant, Cumming, Pleasant Hill, Runnells, unincorporated Polk County and Windsor Heights)
- City of Grimes
- City of Johnston
- City of Norwalk
- City of Polk City
- Urbandale Water Utility
- Warren Rural Water District
- City of Waukee
- West Des Moines Water Works
- Xenia Rural Water
Polk County Emergency Management director: 'We can all work together' to avoid water crisis
Des Moines cuts hours at spraygrounds
In response to Wednesday's call for voluntary water reduction, Des Moines officials have cut hours at the city's 18 spraygrounds.
Des Moines spraygrounds normally operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily during the summer, but are now operating from noon to 6 p.m. Normal hours will resume when conditions improve, .
Clive mayor: 'Stop lawn watering and we'll all be fine'
Differences between essential and nonessential water uses and how important it is to stop watering lawns