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Central Iowa Water Works is banning lawn watering immediately for its customers.
In a statement, CIWW Executive Director Tami Madsen said:
We are pulling all levers at our treatment facilities and nitrate removal processes to prevent a violation. Now we need full cooperation from the public. This is no longer a voluntary request.
This is the first-ever lawn watering ban enacted by CIWW, done to ensure that treatment facilities can produce enough water for lifeline essentials amid water supply challenges caused by high nitrate concentrations in both the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. CIWW says treated drinking water continues to meet all state and federal regulations for drinking and household uses.
The ban impacts residents and customers of the agencies:
- City of Ankeny
- City of Clive
- Des Moines Water Works
- 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,
This also impacts communities served by Des Moines Water Works:
- Alleman
- Berwick
- Bondurant
- Cumming
- Pleasant Hill
- Runnells
- Unincorporated Polk County
- Windsor Heights.
Central Iowa Water Works says has been removing nitrate using the nitrate removal facility for more than 55 days.