DMWW, DNR discuss return of nitrates to river waters

The rumors about Des Moines Water Works returning nitrates to the Des Moines River after treating the water to meet drinking quality standards are true, water works Board Chairman Graham Gillette says.

At every Calhoun County event since DMWW announced its intent to sue Calhoun, Buena Vista and Sac counties over nitrate levels in the Raccoon River, which the water works uses as a water source, someone has brought up the return of the nitrates to water headed downstream of the state capital.

Gillette, in a recent conversation with The Graphic-Advocate, clarified a few points about that situation.

First, he wants people to agree that the pollutants DMWW removes and later returns – Gillette referred to it as residual input – comes from sources upstream of Des Moines. Second, the Department of Natural Resources “mandates the only way we can dispose of that residual input is putting it back in the river,” Gillette said.

Read more of this story in the Jan. 28 edition.