Des Moines Parks and Recreation has started using water from Gray’s Lake to water plants and support conservation efforts in the city. This initiative comes as the area remains under a Stage 2 outdoor water use plan due to high nitrate levels and increased demand for water to irrigate lawns.
Conservation Efforts
According to Julie Hempel, Park Superintendent for the city of Des Moines, the city uses approximately 15 to 18,000 gallons of water a week to water trees and plants. This amounts to around 100,000 gallons over the course of the season. The water from Gray’s Lake is used to supplement the city’s water supply and reduce the strain on the municipal water system.
The process involves drawing water from the lake, filtering it, and then transporting it to the city’s parks and flower beds. The use of Gray’s Lake water is expected to continue through the end of October, and the city is planning to install a more permanent pump in the future.
The cost of gathering additional materials for this project was approximately $40. Central Iowa Water Works has asked for a voluntary 50% reduction in watering grass to help conserve water.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
