Central Iowa Water Works' water use plan is a five-stage strategy designed to manage water shortages and maintain the quality of the region's drinking water. This plan was established after the area's first-ever lawn watering ban in 2025, which was triggered by near-record nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. These high nitrate levels posed a significant challenge to the utility's ability to treat water while adhering to federal drinking water standards.
The plan is a comprehensive approach, outlining various measures that Central Iowa Water Works can implement when water supplies or treatment capacity are under stress. It ranges from voluntary conservation efforts to mandatory water rationing, ensuring that the utility can respond effectively to water scarcity situations.
Here's a breakdown of the five stages:
Stage 0: Water Conservation
- Encourages water conservation throughout the year, regardless of drought conditions.
- No mandatory restrictions, but promotes everyday choices to reduce water consumption.
- Examples include fixing leaks, efficient watering practices, and avoiding unnecessary water use.
- The goal is to foster conservation habits before water supplies become strained.
Stage I: Water Watch
- Requests residents to voluntarily reduce lawn watering by 25%.
- Encourages delaying or skipping irrigation after rainfall.
- Limits outdoor water use to essential maintenance of landscapes and gardens.
- Serves as an early warning sign, indicating increasing water supply pressure.
Stage II: Water Alert
- Asks residents to voluntarily cut lawn watering by 50%.
- Restricts outdoor watering to essential uses only.
- Encourages efficient water usage indoors and outdoors.
- Utilities may enhance public messaging and conservation efforts as water supply concerns escalate.
Stage III: Water Warning
- Implements mandatory restrictions.
- Prohibits lawn watering for residential, commercial, and government properties.
- Allows watering of newly installed sod and seeded areas under specific guidelines.
- Cities decide on splash pad operations.
- Golf courses and sports turf facilities may continue limited irrigation.
- Water providers enforce restrictions and take additional measures to protect available supplies.
Stage IV: Water Emergency
- Enforces mandatory emergency measures.
- Implements water rationing to meet essential needs.
- Utilities may limit water usage and restrict non-essential activities.
- Focuses on protecting public health and maintaining critical services until water supplies recover.
This plan is a proactive approach to water management, addressing the challenges posed by nitrate pollution and ensuring the sustainability of Central Iowa's water resources.
