Right now, families across Des Moines are under lawn watering bans as the metro works to conserve strained supplies. These restrictions are not just about lawns. They are a visible reminder that our water system is stretched thin; at the same time, nitrate levels in local rivers are climbing toward record highs.
When city systems are under this kind of strain, it raises an important question: what happens at home if contaminants slip through? Municipal plants work hard, but their limits are clear. That is why more families across Polk County are putting systems in place inside their own homes, for protection that does not depend on the city’s next move.
Des Moines Nitrate Pollution Is Rising Again
Farm runoff and heavy rains continue to send nitrates into the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, which provide water to much of Polk County. Even when treatment facilities are running at full capacity, nitrate levels can spike quickly and without warning.
- Invisible risk: Nitrates cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled.
- Health concerns: Infants, expecting mothers, and vulnerable populations face the highest risk.
- System strain: The nitrate removal facility has already been in operation for more than 110 days this year, far longer than it was designed to handle.
Even when the city’s equipment is working around the clock, it cannot guarantee every home is safe from sudden spikes. A treatment system in your home gives you consistent peace of mind, regardless of how stressed the municipal plant is.
Want certainty? Schedule your free water test to see if nitrate pollution is affecting your home.
PFAS Chemicals: The Forever Concern
Alongside nitrates, PFAS chemicals, often called forever chemicals, are a growing issue in Iowa. They do not break down naturally and can build up in the body over time, raising long-term health concerns.
PFAS do not just affect rivers. Once they enter a home, they can accumulate in plumbing, appliances, and even the water your family drinks every day. Without filtration in place, you are depending entirely on municipal systems that were never designed to remove them. A whole home system gives you control where it matters most – your tap.
Why More Families Are Choosing At-Home Water Treatment Systems
Water issues in Des Moines are not going away. Whether it is nitrate spikes in the fall, PFAS that never break down, or lawn watering bans that signal stressed supplies, the message is the same: you cannot assume the water at home is always safe. Installing a system is about more than taste and convenience; it is about protecting your family and your home every single day.
The right water treatment system can:
- Remove nitrates at the tap with Reverse Osmosis systems.
- Capture up to 99% of PFAS and other contaminants with whole-home water filtration.
- Provide reliable protection year-round, even during Des Moines nitrate pollution spikes.
- Deliver better-tasting water and help extend the life of appliances and plumbing.
The Bottom Line for Central Iowa Families
From lawn watering bans in Des Moines to rising nitrate pollution in local rivers, water stress is here to stay. Municipal systems will continue doing their best, but at-home treatment ensures your water is always clean and safe.
Schedule your free water test today and take the first step toward protecting your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
The only way to be certain is through certified testing. That is why Culligan of Des Moines offers a free water test so you know exactly what is in your water and the best way to address it.
At-home systems provide consistent protection. Reverse Osmosis systems remove nitrates right at the tap, while whole home filtration systems capture PFAS and other contaminants before they reach any faucet. These solutions give your family cleaner, safer water year-round.
PFAS, also called “forever chemicals,” are man-made substances that do not break down naturally. Exposure has been linked to long-term health risks, and municipal systems are not fully equipped to remove them.
Nitrates come from farm runoff and heavy rains washing fertilizer into the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. High levels are a concern because they can affect infant health, expectant mothers, and vulnerable populations. Nitrates also cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, which makes testing essential.
Lawn watering bans are used when water supplies are stressed. In Des Moines, they often happen when treatment plants are running near capacity due to high demand or rising contaminants like nitrates. Contact Culligan of Des Moines to learn more about contaminants in your water.
