Donnelle Eller

1 week ago | desmoinesregister.com | Donnelle Eller |Nick El Hajj

Central Iowa Water Works is allowing splash pads and spray grounds to reopen despite a lawn watering ban remaining in effect. The decision comes as nitrate levels in source water are slowly decreasing, but still exceed federal limits. While the lawn watering ban continues to address high nitrate levels, splash pads and spray grounds use significantly less water.

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Donnelle Eller |Nick El Hajj

Central Iowa Water Works says it will allow its member cities and utilities to reopen public splash pads and spray grounds as temperatures reach dangerously high levels in the Des Moines metro area and across the state this weekend. The city of Des Moines said its spraygrounds will reopen with reduced hours of noon to 6 p.m. daily, and that splash polls will reopen with full, regular hours, although the Ashfield Park Wading Pool will remain closed until further notice.

1 week ago | desmoinesregister.com | Donnelle Eller

High nitrate levels in Des Moines and Raccoon rivers prompted Central Iowa Water Works' first-ever lawn watering ban. The ban has reduced water demand by 30%, helping the utility avoid violating federal drinking water standards. But nitrate levels remain high due to agricultural runoff, exacerbated by recent weather patterns.

1 week ago | desmoinesregister.com | Donnelle Eller

Central Iowa residents have questions about the first-ever ban on watering their lawns, including how long the restrictions will last, if water-hungry data centers are playing a role in the crisis and why nitrates, the contaminant forcing the cutback, are spiking this spring. Central Iowa Water Water Works told 600,000 Des Moines metro area customers Thursday, June 12, they were forbidden from watering their lawns and could face the shutoff of their service if they fail to comply.

1 week ago | desmoinesregister.com | Donnelle Eller

The U.S. House budget reconciliation bill could increase Iowa household energy costs by up to $550 annually, a new report says. The bill would restricts tax credits for renewable energy and electric vehicles, potentially jeopardizing billions in Iowa projects. Iowa's growing energy demand, driven by data centers and manufacturing, makes these tax credits crucial for affordable energy.