Des Moines-area water restrictions end after 193-day nitrate treatment run
Central Iowa Water Works returned to Stage 0 on July 27, ending mandatory and voluntary water-use restrictions for customers across the regional system, including Des Moines Water Works customers.
For Des Moines-area residents, lawn watering may resume. Central Iowa Water Works still recommends the normal even/odd watering schedule, no watering on Mondays, efficient irrigation and prompt leak repairs.
What changed for Des Moines customers
Stage 0 applies across the Central Iowa Water Works service area. Addresses ending in an even number are encouraged to water on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Addresses ending in an odd number are encouraged to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Mondays remain a no-watering day under the utility’s everyday conservation guidance.
The return to Stage 0 ends the mandatory and voluntary restrictions that had limited regional water use. It does not amount to an endorsement of wasteful consumption. CIWW is asking customers to return to everyday water stewardship, including watering only when landscapes need it and avoiding irrigation during the heat of the day.
Why the restrictions ended
CIWW took its nitrate-removal facility offline on July 23 after 193 days of operation during the 2026 season. On July 27, the CIWW Technical Committee voted to return the regional system to Stage 0.
CIWW said nitrate concentrations in all three raw-water sources supplying the Fleur Drive Water Treatment Plant had fallen below the federal drinking-water standard, so the facility was no longer needed at that time. The July 23 shutdown and July 27 Stage 0 decision were separate steps in that process.
Drinking-water safety remained compliant
The restrictions were tied to elevated nitrate conditions in source water and the resulting pressure on regional treatment capacity. CIWW said its member agencies continued to provide treated drinking water that met state and federal standards.
That distinction matters for residents: ending the watering restrictions reflects improved raw-water conditions and the conclusion of the temporary treatment operation. It does not mean nitrate concerns can never return. CIWW said it will continue monitoring river conditions, water quality and regional demand.
What residents should do now
Des Moines-area customers may resume lawn watering under Stage 0 guidance. CIWW continues to recommend the even/odd schedule, skipping Mondays, using efficient irrigation, watering only when needed and repairing leaks promptly.
Residents should follow future instructions from Central Iowa Water Works and their local water utility if nitrate levels or regional water demand lead to a change in guidance.
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