Des Moines Suing Northwest Iowa Watershed

Des Moines Water Works is suing three northwest Iowa counties for allowing nitrate levels to get too high. Over-tiling and over-fertilizing of northwest Iowa farmland has resulted in higher concentrations of chemicals in Iowa waters, which Des Moines rely on for their drinking water. Removing nitrates from the water costs the Des Moines water facility $4,000 a day!Is this South Dakota's future?With tiling on the rise in Eastern South Dakota and the water becoming increasingly undrinkable, will South Dakota find itself in the same position? If pollution in the Big Sioux River Water District is not reduced, those who rely on it as water source will find themselves bearing the cost of an expensive nitrate removal system.As this lawsuit develops, it is important to note the implications. If the courts find the NW Iowa Watershed culpable, it could set a precedent for who is responsible for water quality. The outcome of this trial could determine farming practice reform. To learn more about this issue, see:Baise, Gary. "Des Moines Sues Iowa Counties Over Water Quality: What Does It Mean?" Farm Futures. Solutions Group. 24 Mar. 2015. Web.Meinch, Timothy. "Water Works Plans to Sue Three Counties." The Des Moines Register. USA Today. 4 Feb. 2015. Web.Walton, Brett. "Des Moines Water Utility to File Nitrate Pollution Lawsuit." Circle of Blue. Circle of Blue. 9 Mar. 2015. Web.