Report on Water Management and Sustainable Development in Central Iowa

Executive Summary: Phased Easing of Water Restrictions

Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) has initiated a phased lifting of its lawn-watering ban for its 600,000 customers in the Des Moines metro area. This decision follows a period of stabilized nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, the region’s primary water sources. This action reflects a critical balance between meeting community needs and upholding commitments to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Water Quality, Public Health, and SDG Alignment

The initial restrictions were a necessary response to elevated nitrate levels, a significant challenge to providing safe drinking water and achieving SDG 6. The management of this issue is also directly linked to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

• Health Standard: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates nitrate concentrations in treated water remain below 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to protect vulnerable populations, including infants under six months and pregnant women.
• Source Water Status: As of July 29, raw water nitrate levels remained above the EPA threshold in primary sources, with the Raccoon River at 13.63 mg/L and the Des Moines River at 10.71 mg/L. The infiltration gallery showed lower levels at 8.67 mg/L.
• Mitigation Efforts: To ensure compliance with safety standards, CIWW has operated its nitrate removal facility for 102 consecutive days, a direct action supporting SDG 6.3 (improve water quality).

Sustainable Consumption and Community Resilience (SDG 11 & SDG 12)

The phased approach to lifting the ban demonstrates a strategic effort to manage water resources sustainably, a core principle of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12. The ban was implemented because lawn irrigation can increase total water consumption by up to 40%, straining treatment capacity. The gradual lifting of the ban ensures that demand does not outpace the system’s ability to provide safe water.

1. Phase 1 (Completed): Restrictions on residential lawn watering were lifted on July 18.
2. Phase 2 (Current): Commercial operations were permitted to resume lawn watering on July 30.
3. Phase 3 (Pending): The ban will be fully lifted once local governments and schools are permitted to resume irrigation.

Revised Guidelines for Responsible Water Use

To continue promoting responsible consumption in line with SDG 12, CIWW has asked commercial customers to adhere to a regional watering schedule. This measure helps manage demand and reinforces the importance of efficient water use.

• Even-numbered addresses: Permitted to water on Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Permitted to water on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday.
• All customers: No watering is permitted on Monday.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article’s central theme is the management of drinking water quality and availability for a large population. It discusses the challenges of high nitrate levels in water sources and the measures taken to ensure the water is safe for consumption, which directly relates to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article explicitly connects water quality to public health. It mentions that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standard for nitrate concentration is set “to protect infants under 6 months and pregnant women,” highlighting the goal of reducing illnesses caused by water contamination.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The issue is framed within the context of the Des Moines metro area, affecting 600,000 customers. The efforts by Central Iowa Water Works to manage a water quality crisis, maintain the water supply, and ensure the resilience of the urban water system are all relevant to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article discusses the implementation and subsequent lifting of a lawn-watering ban. This ban was a direct measure to manage water consumption, as the article notes that “Lawn watering can increase overall water use by as much as 40%.” This relates to ensuring sustainable consumption patterns and the efficient use of natural resources.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
     
     Explanation: The article details the efforts of Central Iowa Water Works to provide “safe drinking water” to its 600,000 customers by treating water to meet the federal threshold for nitrates.
   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution…
     
     Explanation: The core problem discussed is high nitrate levels, a form of water pollution, in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. The operation of the “nitrate removal plant” is a direct action to improve the quality of the water before distribution.
   • Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
     
     Explanation: The Central Iowa Water Works is a regional authority managing water for local communities. Its communication about the watering ban, the phased lifting of restrictions, and the provision of a specific watering schedule for commercial customers are examples of engaging the community in water management.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly states that the 10 mg/L nitrate standard is in place “to protect infants under 6 months and pregnant women,” directly linking the water treatment efforts to the prevention of illness from water contamination.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… by disasters, including water-related disasters…
     
     Explanation: A contamination event that threatens the drinking water supply of a major metropolitan area can be considered a water-related disruption or disaster. The actions taken by CIWW are measures to mitigate the impact of this crisis on the 600,000 people it serves.

4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights that “Lawn watering can increase overall water use by as much as 40%.” The imposition of a watering ban was a direct policy to manage the consumption of water, a critical natural resource, especially when treatment capacity was strained.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Ambient Water Quality Measurements

  The article provides specific, quantitative data on water quality, which can be used as direct indicators. These include:

  • Nitrate level in the Raccoon River: 13.63 milligrams per liter.
  • Nitrate level in the Des Moines River: 10.71 milligrams per liter.
  • Nitrate level in the infiltration gallery: 8.67 milligrams per liter.
  • The U.S. EPA standard for treated water: 10 milligrams per liter.

  These figures directly measure the level of pollution (Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality) and the challenge in providing safe drinking water.

• Population Served by Safely Managed Drinking Water

  The article states that the water sources serve “600,000 Des Moines area customers.” The entire effort described is to ensure this population continues to receive safely managed drinking water, which is a key component of Indicator 6.1.1 (Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services).

• Measures of Water Use and Stress

  The statement that “Lawn watering can increase overall water use by as much as 40%” is an indicator of water use intensity and the potential for water stress. The implementation of the watering ban is an indicator of a change in water consumption patterns aimed at improving water use efficiency (relevant to Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint and domestic material consumption).

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: desmoinesregister.com