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Even as Iowa’s rivers continue to grapple with elevated nitrate levels, the Des Moines Water Reclamation Authority is finding creative ways to give the pollutant a second life.High nitrate concentrations persist in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, with untreated water averaging over 14 milligrams per liter according to Tuesday readings — far surpassing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) threshold of 10 milligrams per liter for safe drinking water. Central Iowa Water Works' nitrate removal facility, however, reduces these levels significantly, ensuring safe and reliable water for homes in the region. Yet the question remains: what happens to the extracted nitrate?The answer lies at Des Moines’ Water reclamation facility, where advanced aeration systems process wastewater from 18 cities—including the nitrate removed from drinking water. Here, bacteria play a crucial role, breaking down the nitrate into nitrogen and oxygen. The process generates an unexpected benefit: renewable natural gas, which is sold as an energy source.Meanwhile, the remaining sludge, concentrated with nutrients, is dewatered and turned into a semi-solid fertilizer. This “cake” is spread on farmland to enrich soil for Iowa crops. The reclamation authority has implemented measures to prevent the fertilizer from running off into waterways, ensuring it stays on the fields it’s applied to.Upgrades are on the horizon. A $42 million expansion project aims to increase nitrate removal rates from 50-60 percent to as high as 85 percent. With these improvements set to be completed in four years, the water flowing back into Iowa rivers will be even cleaner. As the focus shifts toward safeguarding water quality, the health risks tied to nitrate pollution remain at the forefront. High levels of nitrate levels can lead to “blue baby syndrome,” a condition that cuts off oxygen supply in infants under six months old. It is this risk that drove the EPA to set its nitrate limits in the 1990s, a standard it continues to evaluate every six years.For residents seeking more information on water quality—or clarity on why their at-home nitrate tests might show varying results—resources are available here.