Central Iowa Water Works shares tips on how customers can conserve water
In the waters of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. some of the highest nitrate levels in the country. You’re always going to measure nitrate in the water throughout the year. David Swartney is *** University of Iowa professor and the director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination. Water seems to be nearly always on his mind. In the fall, the nitrate levels go down, he says. Right now things are sort of where they typically are, not near the peaks which we see in the summer months. So let’s go back to summer. On *** hot July day, KCCI investigators follows Bill Blue Bow as he collects samples from the rivers. So wherever our water goes, that’s I go and test it. These plastic bottles, once filled, go to the lab chemist at Des Moines Water Works. I’ve been here going on 25 years. I’ve been doing this for about 18. Nitrates will be one of many contaminants tested. Bluebell draws samples Monday through Friday all year long. Sometimes I go to Walnut Woods or wherever I go, and when it’s real bad, sometimes I’ll have to go to the pumping station at the Des Moines River and go inside and dip down inside to get it, but not too often. I can usually find flowing water somewhere. Blue Bough’s job is just one part. The Des Moines Water Works has been at the heart of the fight to remove nitrates from water for decades. KCCI investigates talked with former Des Moines Water Works CEO Ted Corrigan in his last week on the job. He says battling the nitrate levels has remained *** consistent part of his 30 years at the utility. This year it certainly feels like *** bigger challenge, but nitrates have always been *** challenge. Concern about nitrates goes all the way back to the 1980s. Studies show it can cause circulation problems, especially in babies. For instance, in 1986, KCCI reported on *** report from the Iowa. Environmental commission. The groundwater is *** high priority in this state. In the early 1990s, Des Moines Water Works took *** big step and built the nitrate removal facility. Corrigan was fairly new when it opened. I remember LD McMullin saying, I hope someday this is the largest nitrate removal museum in the country because we don’t need it anymore, when he was talking about some of our efforts upstream, but It has not gone that way. The plant runs when the nitrate levels are high in the rivers or in the network of pipes underneath Waterworks Park that bring in groundwater for treatment. It was called the largest facility of its kind when built. Some years we don’t use it at all. This year we’re using it *** lot. In the early 2000s, Bill Stowe became an advocate for removing nitrates. His efforts as Des Moines Water Works CEO resulted in *** lawsuit against three Northwest Iowa counties. This is not something that bubbles up and then goes away forever. We need to be prepared for this kind of nitrate concentrations on our rivers. After years in the courts, the lawsuit was dismissed. Des Moines Water Works saw high levels of nitrates in 2013 and 2015. And this summer, that facility ran for 112 days in *** row. And that brings us back to Bill Bluebau. He stands by the water utility’s work. That’s all I drink is Des Moines Water Works.
Central Iowa Water Works shares tips on how customers can conserve water
Updated: 3:24 PM CDT May 27, 2026
Stage II of Central Iowa Water Works’ water use plan went into effect on Wednesday. That’s a voluntary 50% reduction of lawn watering and other outdoor water usage. Video above: Water quality issues, like nitrate pollution, persist for decades for Central IowaDuring this stage of water conservation, Central Iowa Water Works customers are encouraged to:Reduce lawn watering by half and only water when neededLimit lawn watering to one or two days per week.Water during early morning hours to reduce evaporationShorten sprinkler run times by half and avoid watering shaded areasUse a shutoff nozzle when washing vehiclesDon’t hose off driveways or walkwaysInspect irrigation systems for leaks or broken sprinkler headsCheck sprinkler heads for overspray – avoid shooting water onto sidewalks or drivewaysCIWW also encourages customers to follow the regional even/odd watering schedule:Even-numbered addresses (122 Main St.): Sunday, Wednesday or FridayOdd-numbered addresses (123 Main St.): Tuesday, Thursday or SaturdayMost lawns do not require watering on all three days and may remain healthy with substantially less irrigation.Customers are strongly encouraged to avoid watering on Mondays because of high regional demand.Central Iowa Water Works is the regional authority responsible for drinking water treatment, water system planning and the wholesale delivery of water across urban, suburban and rural central Iowa — serving more than 600,000 Iowans. KCCI Investigates: How county governments are keeping nitrate sensor network goingKCCI Investigates: Water quality issues, like nitrate pollution, persist for decades for Central Iowa
Stage II of Central Iowa Water Works’ water use plan went into effect on Wednesday. That’s a voluntary 50% reduction of lawn watering and other outdoor water usage.
Video above: Water quality issues, like nitrate pollution, persist for decades for Central Iowa
During this stage of water conservation, Central Iowa Water Works customers are encouraged to:
Reduce lawn watering by half and only water when neededLimit lawn watering to one or two days per week.Water during early morning hours to reduce evaporationShorten sprinkler run times by half and avoid watering shaded areasUse a shutoff nozzle when washing vehiclesDon’t hose off driveways or walkwaysInspect irrigation systems for leaks or broken sprinkler headsCheck sprinkler heads for overspray – avoid shooting water onto sidewalks or driveways
CIWW also encourages customers to follow the regional even/odd watering schedule:
Even-numbered addresses (122 Main St.): Sunday, Wednesday or FridayOdd-numbered addresses (123 Main St.): Tuesday, Thursday or SaturdayMost lawns do not require watering on all three days and may remain healthy with substantially less irrigation.Customers are strongly encouraged to avoid watering on Mondays because of high regional demand.
Central Iowa Water Works is the regional authority responsible for drinking water treatment, water system planning and the wholesale delivery of water across urban, suburban and rural central Iowa — serving more than 600,000 Iowans.
KCCI Investigates: How county governments are keeping nitrate sensor network going
KCCI Investigates: Water quality issues, like nitrate pollution, persist for decades for Central Iowa