Residents of central Iowa are being urged to cut their outdoor water usage in half as Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) reports a significant increase in water demand. On May 1, water usage was recorded at 45.1 million gallons, and by May 26, it had surged to 69.5 million gallons. This increase has prompted the Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) to announce a stage 2 water use alert.

Rising Demand and Environmental Concerns

Kyle Danley, the chief operating officer for DMWW, shared these figures at a recent Central Iowa Water Works board meeting. The data, collected from three water plants, shows a clear upward trend in water consumption, particularly as the weather becomes hotter and drier. Daily water usage figures for late May highlight this trend, with significant increases noted over a span of just a few days.

CIWW’s executive director, Tami Madsen, explained that the alert is necessary due to the combination of increased irrigation and high nitrate concentrations in the water supply. Nitrate levels have been persistently high, necessitating the operation of the nitrate removal facility for most of the year. The main sources of drinking water, the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, continue to show elevated nitrate levels, which complicates water treatment efforts.

Community Cooperation Encouraged

As water demand typically rises during this time of year, largely due to lawn irrigation by homeowners and businesses, CIWW is calling on the community to voluntarily reduce water usage. Madsen emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “We can all work together to voluntarily reduce our water use by 50 percent and still have nice green lawns and enjoy our summer.”

The water use alert serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water management, especially during periods of environmental stress. By cooperating with the alert, residents can help ensure the sustainability of the water supply while maintaining their outdoor spaces.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.