Des Moines Water Works has asked metro area residences to stop irrigating their lawns due to extremely high nitrate counts. Read the announcement here.
While industrial agriculture is mostly responsible for these high readings(farmers spraying herbicides/pesticides onto huge plots of fertile Iowa lands), there are ways small landowners/homeowners can combat poor water quality in order to ensure that clean drinking water remains available.
First, stop using chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. The 127 lbs nitrogen fertilizer per acre an average Iowa corn farmer applies to his/her fields places enough stress on drinking water and aquatic habitat and food sources. While small lawn applications don't use nearly as much nitrogen per acre, using other fertilizing methods are healthier and more sustainable. The Power of Compost Refer to Blooming Prairie's past post where fertilizing with compost was addressed. There's no healthier alternative to synthetic fertilizers than compost.
Stop irrigating lawns. The water penetrates the shallow roots system of the lawn grass and immediately washes into the storm water systems. What could have been good drinking water now gets flushed back into the river, taking the synthetic fertilizers and automotive waste with it. Des Moines Water Works has to keep up with water demands, but it can't when the expensively processed clean water is being used for aesthetic purposes.
Put in a rain garden. This is one of Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District's recommendations on managing urban storm water runoff. A rain garden is a strategically placed shallow depression in which deep rooted native species are planted. They are commonly positioned near downspouts, to the side of driveways, sidewalks and other impermeable surfaces with the intention of diverting the water flow into a garden where native prairie plants and grasses can use the water instead of allowing it to run immediately into streets and sewers. Cost share programs are also available to Polk County residents. Check it out. There's nothing more beautiful than a colorful water runoff solution!
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If you attempted reading this post yesterday, please excuse the poor formatting. It's in better reading condition today!
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