Thanks to a capital investment made years ago and the dedicated work of our employees, Des Moines Water Works continues to meet the needs of the 500,000 customers in the 20 communities we serve. However, the extreme levels of nitrates found in our water supply this year pose a significant threat to our customers.
We feel it is time for Iowans to engage in a serious discussion about this growing problem.
Nitrate levels in both the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s nitrate standard this spring (10 milligrams per liter, determined as the level protective of public health). There were more nitrates in those rivers last week than there were all of last year combined.
Des Moines Water Works relies primarily on the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers as sources for central Iowa’s drinking water. Because unprecedented nitrate levels have affected both rivers concurrently, Des Moines Water Works activated its nitrate removal facility last Friday to keep finished drinking water below EPA standards. This facility, constructed in 1992 for $3.6 million, costs $7,000 per day to operate. Ratepayers have funded the cost of constructing, maintaining and operating this facility.
Rick Robinson, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s environmental policy adviser, wrote a guest column headlined “State Rules Wouldn’t Fix Nitrates” that appeared in The Des Moines Register on May 14. We agree with one thing he wrote: “If we all do our part — farmers, homeowners, businesses and communities — we will have a positive impact on Iowa’s watershed.”
Where we diverge is that we do not believe all parties are doing their part to protect Iowa’s waterways.
Des Moines Water Works had the foresight to build a denitrification facility. The waterworks has not had to operate it since 2007, but this is largely because the waterworks has invested millions of dollars in additional treatment options to provide denitrification since 2007.
It is misleading for a person to suggest the denitrification facility’s lack of use during recent years is proof that nitrate levels have been lower than they were in past years. Des Moines Water Works has been able to avoid the costly operation of the facility because of other actions and investments it has made.
The heart of Des Moines Water Works’ mission is protecting public health. We can no longer work quietly while source waters continue to be severely polluted by upstream land practices. This should not be a sterile discussion influenced only by data and statistics — although ample alarming data and statistics exist. Nitrates pose serious health risks. It is increasingly costly for the waterworks to remove nitrates through treatment processes to meet necessary EPA standards.
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Bill Stowe, general manager of Des Moines Water Works, treads
carefully
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In addition to exceptional levels of nitrates, high levels of ammonia and phosphorus, algae blooms and increasing levels of bacteria are all deteriorating water quality in Iowa.
The recently published Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which is supported by many prominent state leaders, including the Iowa Department of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the governor’s office, is inadequate in that it lacks regulation, goals, measurable outcomes and timelines for reducing agricultural (nonpoint) discharges.
We advocate regulation through EPA-endorsed numeric standards by watershed — an approach with local emphasis that considers the current state of each watershed and does not force a one-size-fits-all approach.
Facing the reality of the degrading water quality and open, meaningful discussion to identify solutions is long overdue.
Iowans should demand that state leaders address improving and protecting Iowa’s water sources. State funding to support monitoring of nitrate pollutants should not be stripped away from the flood center of Iowa, an objective guardian of Iowa’s rivers and streams.
Without significant action, Des Moines Water Works will be forced to continue treating degraded source waters, and our customers will continue to pay for that extensive treatment in their rates.
With bold and innovative action, Des Moines Water Works believes healthy source waters and agriculture can coexist. They must. Both are critical to Iowa’s future.
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This entry was first published in the print edition of the Des Moines Register.
Authors, Des Moines Water Works Trustees, Graham Gillette, Chair, David A. Carlson, Vice Chair, Leslie A. Gearhart, Susan R. Huppert and Marc R. Wallace, and William G. Stowe,President and CEO
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