July 7, 2025

Stage III Daily Updates

July 7, 2025

Thank you for your continued support of the Stage III lawn watering ban. By and large, most of our community members have continued to adhere to the lawn watering ban and by doing so have contributed to the mission of providing drinking water that meets all safe drinking water standards. Despite persistent messaging about the ban’s continued existence, a small minority of irrigation systems have started operating again. Our member agencies will contact these users to remind them that their compliance with the ban is crucial for our success. It is critically important that we continue to limit water consumption through the lawn watering ban to continue meeting the goal of providing drinking water that meets all safe drinking water standards.

Due to the persistent rain, we anticipate fluctuations in nitrate concentrations in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. We will continue to provide these daily updates as we closely monitor the situation.

The lawn watering ban must continue. The addition of lawn watering to the system would cause demand to exceed available capacity and compromise our ability to meet all safe drinking water standards. One of many factors to fully lift the ban requires that at least one water source – either the Raccoon River or Des Moines River – record nitrate concentrations at 10 mg/L or less. We will need to see a sustained consistent downward trend in source water nitrates before fully exiting the Stage III lawn watering ban. Please continue to carry the message that lawn watering cannot resume. If lawn watering resumes, we will be in danger of exceeding the nitrate standard.

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works meets all safe drinking water standards.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.14 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 6.98 mg/L

Raccoon River 12.27 mg/L Des Moines River 12.18 mg/L

July 6, 2025

The nitrate concentrations are down again today! Here is a quick comparison:

July 6 – Raccoon River 12.5 mg/L Des Moines River 12.36 mg/L

July 5 – Raccoon River 15.00 mg/L Des Moines River 13.1 mg/L

July 4 – Raccoon River 15.46 mg/L Des Moines River 13.41 mg/L

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet all safe drinking water standards.

We do not have capacity available to add in lawn watering and still meet all safe drinking water standards. One of many factors to fully lift the ban requires that at least one water source – either the Raccoon River or Des Moines River – record nitrate concentrations at 10 mg/L or less. We will need to see a sustained consistent downward trend in source water nitrates before fully exiting the Stage III lawn watering ban.

If lawn watering resumes, we will be in danger of exceeding the nitrate standard.

July 5, 2025

🎉The nitrate levels are down today! Here is a quick comparison:

July 5 – Raccoon River 15.00 mg/L Des Moines River 13.1 mg/L

July 4 – Raccoon River 15.46 mg/L Des Moines River 13.41 mg/L

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet all safe drinking water standards.

Please submit your sod tracking forms if you have not done so!

July 4, 2025

The nitrate levels are remaining stubbornly high but hopefully your communities can find some relief with the splash pads being open and the ability to get outside with their water toys!

In case you missed it from yesterday:

As we gradually restore capacity to the system, it will be paramount that we diligently manage our phased approach. Currently, our focus is on items that have metered or predictable water usage and fit within the capacity we have available. Because splash pads are metered, we have been able to add them back into the system at full capacity. We have also messaged that children can enjoy outside summer activities such as sprinklers and water toys if they make sure to turn them off when they aren’t using them or fill them early in the morning or in the evening – during non-peak hours.

Another item we have been able to add back is the installation of sod, by using tracking forms, we have been able to calculate the square footage of outstanding sod work and the expected water consumption of this work. We have heard from the sod community and the builders that VA loans cannot close without sod installed (even with a temporary certificate of occupancy) and that employees are being laid off. Please continue to send those inquiring about sod installation to www.ciww.gov.

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet safe drinking water standards.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.83 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 7.51 mg/L

Raccoon River 15.46 mg/L Des Moines River 13.41 mg/L

July 3, 2025

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet safe drinking water standards.

Thank you for continuing to adhere to the lawn watering ban. We are gradually introducing water-intensive activities as the system’s capacity allows while still producing drinking water that meets all safe drinking water standards.

In order to manage capacity on our plants and continue to meet safe drinking water standards, the lawn watering ban must remain in place until at least one water source – either the Raccoon River or Des Moines River – record nitrate concentrations at 10 mg/L or less. We will need to see a sustained consistent downward trend in source water nitrates before fully exiting the Stage III lawn watering ban.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.71 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 7.57 mg/L

Raccoon River 15.99 mg/L Des Moines River 12.84 mg/L

July 2, 2025

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet all safe drinking water standards.

The Stage 3 lawn watering ban remains in effect.

As part of a phased process of lifted restrictions related to the Stage III watering ban, we are easing restrictions for sod farmers and installers based on a plan developed with data provided by these business owners. Our water production team has determined there is sufficient water capacity to install sod in a limited capacity and still ensure we produce drinking water that meets all standards.

Beginning Monday, July 7, we will start a phased approach where sod companies will be granted tracking forms to resume business operations. Starting tomorrow morning, July 3, sod farmers and installers must visit www.ciww.gov to obtain tracking forms and initiate the process of installing sod.

Thank you to the businesses we’ve worked with to reach a solution. This step represents a path forward in a phased process to lift additional restrictions, which Central Iowa Water works will share as we see improvements in source water nitrate concentrations.

The Stage 3 lawn watering ban remains in effect. One of many factors to fully lift the ban requires that at least one water source — either Raccoon River or Des Moines River — record nitrate concentrations at 10 mg/L or less. We will need to see a sustained, consistent downward trend in source water nitrates before fully exiting the Stage III water lawn ban.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.41 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 7.57 mg/L

Raccoon River 16.04 mg/L Des Moines River 12.36 mg/L

July 1, 2025

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works meets all safe drinking water standards.

The lawn watering ban will remain in effect due to the challenges associated with producing enough water to meet capacity needs while meeting safe drinking water standards for our water users. As the weather becomes hotter and drier, it is going to become even more challenging to keep the sprinklers off, but it is going to be instrumental in ensuring that we can continue to meet safe drinking water standards.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.51 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 7.25 mg/L

Raccoon River 15.93 mg/L Des Moines River 12.28 mg/L

June 30, 2025

The nitrate level on the Raccoon River continues to rise. As the hot and dry weather approaches in the coming days, it is imperative that our communities remain vigilant and refrain from watering their lawns.

Thank you for all that you are doing to help reduce demand on our water treatment facilities.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.21 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 7.21 mg/L

Raccoon River 15.19 mg/L Des Moines River 12.07 mg/L

June 29, 2025

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works meets all safe drinking water standards.

We are continuing to monitor the nitrate concentrations in both the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Concentrations in the Raccoon River are higher today while those in the Des Moines River are slightly lower. The lawn watering ban will remain in effect due to the challenges associated with producing enough water to meet capacity needs while meeting safe drinking water standards for our water users.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.9 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 6.89 mg/L

Raccoon River 13.76 mg/L Des Moines River 12.27 mg/L

June 28, 2025

We are continuing to see nitrate concentrations rise in both the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. The lawn watering ban will remain in effect due to the challenges associated with producing enough water to meet capacity needs while meeting safe drinking water standards for our water users.

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works meets all safe drinking water standards.

Here are answers to a few of your questions:

We have NOT exceeded the safe drinking water standard. IF we were to exceed the safe drinking water standard of 10mg/L we would place an advisory to not boil your water. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates. If we exceed 10mg/L, adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you would be directed to your physician if you had any health questions.

You asked about making coffee – the normal brewing of coffee does not involve excessive boiling. We have not exceeded the nitrate standard of 10mg/L so the advisory to not boil your water is not in effect.

You asked about food boiled in water – cooking food in our water is considered in the safe drinking water standard and is an appropriate use of our water. We have not exceeded the nitrate standard of 10mg/L so the advisory to not boil your water is not in effect.

If you are boiling your water because you are concerned about the safety of your water due to the messaging you are hearing about water conservation, you should not be doing this. We have not exceeded the nitrate standard of 10mg/L so the advisory to not boil your water is not in effect.

Boiling water is not the appropriate measure to take even IF an advisory is issued concerning an exceedance of the safe drinking water standard.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 8.39 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 6.58 mg/L

Raccoon River 12.25 mg/L Des Moines River 13.99 mg/L

June 27, 2025

How can you use water right now?

Water meets ALL state and federal standards. These standards take into account all the ways we use water in our homes. The water in your tap right now is safe to drink and use in your daily household needs, like cooking food or boiling pasta, bathing, cleaning and other household uses. You can use it to make tea or coffee.

This was edited for clarity on June 28, 2025, see June 28th's update.

We are continuing to see nitrate fluctuations in both the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. The lawn watering ban will remain in effect due to reduced treatment capacity resulting from the current nitrate concentrations.

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works meets all safe drinking water standards.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 8.68 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 6.43 mg/L

Raccoon River 11.12 mg/L Des Moines River 13.65 mg/L

June 26, 2025

We are witnessing the effects of the recent rainfall on both rivers that serve as our primary sources of water. In addition to monitoring river levels, we are actively collaborating with our stakeholders and committees to discuss our next action steps. The lawn watering ban will need to remain in effect while we analyze the data related to the rainfall, our available capacity, and the action steps to come out of our committees.

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet safe drinking water standards.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.81 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 7.38 mg/L

Raccoon River 6.40 mg/L Des Moines River 13.94 mg/L

June 25, 2025

The nitrate concentrations have been reduced due to the ongoing rain. We will closely monitor the concentrations as the rain continues to affect the watershed over the next few days.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant 7.83 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant 7.27 mg/L

Raccoon River 8.10 mg/L Des Moines River 12.53 mg/L

June 24, 2025

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet all safe drinking water standards.

The lawn watering ban is still in effect.

Fleur Drive – 8.01 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant – 8.00mg/L

Raccoon River 14.17 mg/L Des Moines River 13.90 mg/L

June 23, 2025

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet all safe drinking water standards.

The lawn watering ban is still in effect, but there is rain in the forecast for this coming week! We will continue to monitor the nitrate concentrations Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.

Fleur Drive – 8.24 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant – 8.00mg/L

Raccoon River 15.58 mg/L Des Moines River 14.57 mg/L

June 22, 2025

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet safe drinking water standards.

The nitrate concentrations in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers remain high. The lawn watering ban will remain in place to ensure we continue to meet all safe drinking water standards.

Thank you for continuing water wise habits such as taking shorter showers, watering flowers by hand with a watering can or hose, and washing full loads of laundry.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant - 8.19 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant - 7.98 mg/L

Raccoon River - 15.75 mg/L Des Moines River - 13.95 mg/L

June 21, 2025

All water produced by Central Iowa Water Works continues to meet Safe Drinking Water Standards.

The situation remains steady today. Thank you for your continued efforts to reduce demand on the water treatment facilities. We couldn’t do this without you!

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant - 7.6 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant - 8.09 mg/L

Raccoon River - 14.39 mg/L Des Moines River - 14.04 mg/L

June 20, 2025

The lawn watering ban has been effective in lowering demand on our water treatment plants which has allowed CIWW to continue to meet all safe drinking water standards.

Thank you for continuing to take measures to reduce water demand such as watering your flowers with a watering can, taking shorter showers, and washing full loads of laundry.

It is important that we continue to reduce water consumption through the Stage III Lawn Watering Ban in order to continue providing water that meets all safe drinking water standards.

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant - 8.11 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant - 7.93 mg/L

Raccoon River - 15.37 mg/L Des Moines River - 14.1 mg/L

June 19, 2025

Raccoon River - 14.4 mg/L Des Moines River - 14.2 mg/L

Fleur Drive Treatment Plant - 8.05 mg/L McMullen Treatment Plant - 8.29 mg/L

Nitrate Concentrations held steady in the Des Moines River but slightly increased in the Raccoon River after last night's rain. We are continuing to monitor upstream conditions.

Drinking water meets all state and federal standards.

June 18, 2025

Splash Pads to reopen June 19 - Check with your community for hours of operation!

Did you know that lawn watering uses upward of 40 million gallons a day in the system, while combined metro-wide, the splash pads and spray grounds are using less than 1 million gallons?

With the Polk County Extreme Temperature Plan being activated, Central Iowa Water Works wants to ensure all members of our community have equitable opportunities to cool off this week. Splash pads and spray grounds will reopen on Thursday, June 19. Check with your local community for hours of operation

The lawn watering ban remains in effect.

June 18, 2025

‼️Some of you have asked, and yes, more water capacity for the region is under way.

🔟Currently, the Saylorville Water Treatment Plant is expanding to add an additional 10 million gallons a day.

💧The Grimes Water Treatment Plant will be expanded, and a new west water treatment plant will be built.

❓What does this mean? Within the next seven years, the capacity of the water system in the metro will increase by 25 percent. These facilities will all use the newest available technology to remove nitrate – but they are also being designed to treat for emerging water quality issues.

📉P.S. Nitrate concentrations in the rivers are slowly trending downward, but we are monitoring what is happening upstream, so the lawn watering ban is still in effect. Drinking water meets all state and federal standards.

Raccoon River: 13.82 mg/L

Des Moines River: 14.89 mg/L

The finished water leaving the Fleur Drive Treatment Plant: 8.05 mg/L

June 18, 2025

👏Together we have continued to produce high quality water that meets all Safe Drinking Water Standards! Thank you for continuing to take steps to reduce your water footprint such as watering 🍅your vegetable garden, 🪷flowerpots, and 💐flowers with a hose or watering can, washing full loads of laundry, and taking shorter 🚿showers!

❓You have questions? We have answers! ⬇️

June 2025 Water Shortage Plan: Stage III Frequently Asked Questions

June 17, 2025

🌧️Nitrate concentrations remain at high levels and are unpredictable with rain occurring in the watersheds the past 24 hours. As a result of high concentrations – the Des Moines River is at 14.77 mg/L and the Raccoon River is at 15.11 mg/L – the lawn watering ban will remain in effect until nitrate concentrations drop in our rivers.

🗣️Thank you to everyone for doing your part whether it’s turning off your irrigation systems, taking shorter showers, or washing full loads of laundry.

➡️This is a water quality issue. Not a water quantity issue. Source water – mostly in the form of river water – undergoes a multi-step process for treatment to meet drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Nitrate reduction – either through the nitrate removal facility, blending of sources, or use of a treatment plant’s reverse osmosis filters – happens at each of Central Iowa Water Works’ treatment facilities to ensure all finished water meets drinking water standards.

June 16, 2025

📢Thank you for turning off your irrigation systems and using water wisely to reduce demand on our water treatment facilities. Together we have managed to reduce the system capacity and remain under the safe drinking water standard.

🚨As a result of high nitrate concentrations in the rivers – the Des Moines River is at 15.6 mg/L and the Raccoon River is at 15.3 mg/L – the lawn watering ban will remain in effect. When concentrations are this high, production at treatment facilities is limited. The lawn watering ban will remain in effect until nitrate concentrations drop in our rivers. Daily updates are available on Central Iowa Water Works Facebook and LinkedIn pages: Central Iowa Water Works.

June 15, 2025

📢Thank you for your efforts to reduce outdoor water use. By continuing current water conservation efforts through the mandatory lawn watering ban, CIWW is confident that we can continue to produce water without potentially violating the EPA standard. However, until nitrate concentrations in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers drop, production capacity will remain reduced, and the lawn watering ban will need to remain in place.

🌧️These are our two watersheds. The local rain last night and early this morning can help reduce nitrate concentrations in our rivers locally because it dilutes water in the rivers; however, we will be watching what happens upstream. Rain in the watershed sends nitrate into waterways when it flows through farm field drainage tiles and runs off soil.

June 14, 2025 and June 13, 2025

💧Thank you for turning off your irrigation systems. Because of you, we saw a reduction today in demand on our water treatment facilities. We were able to continue producing water for our community that meets the safe drinking water standard.

➡️This is not a lawn watering issue, nor is it a water availability issue. It is a source water quality issue. Our treatment facilities are overwhelmed with near-historic nitrate concentrations from both the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.

‼️High nitrate concentrations entering our facilities require advanced treatment technology. As nitrate concentrations rise, the output of treated water slows down. Curtailing lawn watering is the quickest way, and the last mechanism we have, to ensure that our production facilities can continue to produce water that meets safe drinking water standards. During the growing season, lawn watering is the largest use of our available capacity.

This is only the first day in a multiple day battle that will require us to be vigilant in our efforts to reduce demand on our water treatment facilities. Thank you for every measure you have taken and continue to take to get through this time of near-record nitrate concentrations.

June 12, 2025

CIWW Issues Law Watering Ban Effective Immediately

https://www.ciww.gov/news-1/ciww-issues-lawn-watering-ban-effective-immediately

June 11, 2025

‼️Central Iowa Water Works is now calling for a voluntary minimum 50 percent reduction in all residential and commercial lawn watering to help alleviate water supply challenges caused by high nitrate concentrations in raw source waters.

If customer demand does not immediately decline, lawn watering will be prohibited.

Water production is significantly reduced at the Fleur Drive Treatment Plant because of near record-high nitrate concentrations. We cannot use the Raccoon River as a source for treatment. Our treatment plants and the nitrate removal facility are running at capacity. While all finished water meets regulations for drinking, we are at risk of violating the nitrate standard if customer demand does not decrease.

In addition to reducing lawn watering, all central Iowans are asked to practice wise water use and repair leaking faucets, wash only full loads in the washer and dishwasher, take shorter showers, and hold off on washing cars, playing with water toys or filling swimming pools.

June 10, 2025

🚨Central Iowa Water Works is asking customers to voluntarily reduce lawn watering by 25% to address water issues especially as temperatures are expected to feel much more like summer this week.

‼️Water treatment facilities are working near capacity just to produce basic water essentials, a news release said. Treatment also is challenged due to water supply conditions caused by nitrate concentrations in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers.

⏰If you normally run your sprinklers for an hour, water for 45 minutes.

2️⃣If you water three days a week, only water one or two.

💧Consider watering only your front lawn.

💦Water in the early morning or late evening.

🚫Do not water your lawn on Mondays.

💧If water is running off the lawn and into the street, the ground is saturated and does not need additional watering.

June 9, 2025

‼️A voluntary 25 percent reduction in residential and commercial lawn watering is still in effect to help alleviate water supply challenges caused by high nitrate concentrations in raw source waters. Thank you for the measures you are taking to ensure the availability of treated water for essential services, such as reducing lawn watering to two days a week, watering only your front yard, and watering early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

For more than 50 days, Central Iowa Water Works has been removing nitrate during the treatment process. Operating the nitrate removal facility at the Fleur Drive Treatment Plant adds an extra step to an already complicated process of producing clean, reliable water to 600,000 central Iowans.

CIWW is asking for this continued reduction to solve today’s complication – nitrate removal – but we’re also planning for the future by expanding and building water treatment facilities that can combat not only nitrate, but other source water quality issues and emerging contaminants.

Thank you to our member agencies and our water professionals who have been tirelessly working to ensure each day we produce water that meets all state and federal standards for drinking.

June 4, 2025

🚨Outdoor water use can account for 30% of a business's total water use. These tips can help reduce outdoor water use while still promoting an attractive storefront!

🧹Sweep instead of hose: Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, and entrances rather than hosing off these areas.

💧Deep, infrequent watering: Only water the lawn when necessary. If you water your lawn and flower beds, try watering twice a week instead of three times, if rainfall isn't sufficient. Avoid watering on windy and hot days. Water the lawn and flower beds in the morning or late in the evening to maximize the amount of water which reaches the plant roots (otherwise most of the water will evaporate).

☀️Longer grass: When mowing lawn areas, set the mower blades to 2-3 inches high. Longer grass shades the soil improving moisture retention, has more leaf surface to take in sunlight, allowing it to grow thicker and develop a deeper root system.

🌾Natural vegetation and smaller lawn: Maximize the use of natural vegetation and establish smaller lawns. For portions of your lot where a lawn and landscaping are desired, ask your local nursery for tips about plants with low water demand.

June 2, 2025

💧Every Drop Counts!

‼️Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

🚰Common types of leaks found in the home include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves.

👕The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry.

🚫An irrigation system that has a leak 1/32nd of an inch in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month.

May 30, 2025

‼️Central Iowans Asked to Reduce Lawn Watering by 25%

🚿If the average sized lawn in the United States is watered for 20 minutes every day for 7 days, it's like running the shower constantly for 4 days or taking more than 800 showers.

🚨That's equivalent to the amount of water needed for the average family to take 1 year's worth of showers.

May 30, 2025

Central Iowans are asked to immediately begin a 25 percent voluntarily reduction in lawn watering.

Water treatment facilities are working near capacity to produce enough water for basic lifeline essentials. Treatment is challenged because of water supply conditions caused by nitrate concentrations in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.

All finished water meets state and federal regulations for drinking and all uses.

Central Iowa Water Works offers these tips to reduce lawn watering usage:

If you normally run your sprinklers for an hour, water for 45 minutes.

If you water for three days, only water one or two.

Consider watering only your front lawn.

Water in the early morning or late evening.

Do not water on Monday.