Central Iowa Imposes First Lawn Watering Ban Amid High River Nitrates

Central Iowa is facing a significant water conservation challenge due to near-record high nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, prompting the Central Iowa Water Works to issue its first-ever lawn watering ban affecting over 600,000 residents. Nitrate concentrations have reached levels around 15-17 mg/L, exceeding the EPA's safe limit of 10 mg/L, which raises health concerns such as blue baby syndrome and pregnancy complications, particularly for vulnerable populations. While the water currently meets federal safety standards, treatment facilities are operating at full nitrate removal capacity and cannot meet demand if water use remains high. Authorities have implemented strict penalties, including fines, for violations of the watering ban, and public facilities like spraygrounds and splash pads have been closed to conserve water. Local officials emphasize the critical need for cooperation to avoid potential Safe Drinking Water Act violations and to ensure a safe water supply. Efforts to reduce water usage have been effective, with some communities reporting an 80% drop in irrigation water use following enforcement actions.