Des Moines metro cities are trimming splashground hours after Central Iowa Water Works’ request that residents, businesses and governments voluntarily cut outdoor water use by 50% to preserve treatment capacity as nitrate levels spike in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers.
The regional authority, which issued the call for reduced outdoor water use Wednesday, May 27, warned earlier in the month that a mandatory lawn watering ban, like one imposed last June and July, may become necessary if warm-weather water demand, driven mainly by lawn watering, threatens to exceed water utilities’ ability to mitigate excessive nitrates.
Nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter, the federal maximum for drinking water, are associated with health risks for infants. Nitrates also may be linked to cancer.
So far, a watering ban isn’t envisioned. CIWW Executive Director Tami Madsen told the agency’s board following Wednesday’s announcement that “we’re in a really good spot to move slowly through this” if the public heeds the call for voluntary watering limits.
Des Moines and other cities said in online notices to residents that the reduced hours at splashgrounds are needed to help protect water supplies.
Here are the measures being taken:
Grimes’ splashpad at Waterworks park has a recirculation system and will maintain its usual 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. schedule. The same unchanged hours apply at the Johnston Town Center splashpad.
Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines metro cities cut splash pad hours to curb water use
Reporting by Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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