Bridging the Divide: Farmers and Utilities on Iowa’s Nitrate Challenge
Introduction: The Cost of Clean Water
Ensuring safe drinking water is one of the greatest shared responsibilities between agriculture and utilities. In this Farm4Profit Podcast episode, we’re joined by the CEOs of Des Moines Water Works and Central Iowa Water Works, who together serve over 600,000 Iowans. They share the realities of nitrate removal, including how a single winter of high nitrate levels cost more than $540,000, and why proposed new treatment facilities could require $183 million in investments.
At the same time, Iowa’s farmers are working hard to adopt conservation practices and improve nitrogen efficiency. This conversation brings both perspectives together—highlighting progress, barriers, and opportunities for collaboration.
👉 Listen to the full episode here: Farm4Profit Podcast on Apple.
The Utility Perspective: Meeting Rising Demands
Water utilities face increasing costs and stricter regulatory standards. Nitrate removal plants, like those in Des Moines, are tasked with protecting public health while balancing budgets funded by ratepayers.
Treatment costs: A single winter exceeded $540,000 in nitrate removal.
Future facilities: Estimated investments may reach $183 million.
Public health stakes: Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L in drinking water can pose risks, especially for infants and vulnerable populations (EPA Source).
Utilities stress that while they can treat water, long-term solutions must include reductions at the source—on Iowa’s farms and fields.
The Farmer’s Perspective: Progress Through Conservation
Farmers across Iowa have made measurable strides in nitrogen use efficiency, reducing application rates from ~1.2 pounds per bushel in the 1990s to ~0.7 pounds or less today. They’ve also invested in conservation practices such as:
No-till farming – reducing soil erosion and runoff.
Cover crops – helping capture residual nitrogen.
Prairie strips – filtering water and supporting biodiversity.
Still, barriers remain. Cost, adoption rates, and weather extremes mean conservation cannot always keep pace with water quality expectations.
For more farmer-driven insights, check out our past episode: April Hemmes on Iowa Ag Leadership and Brian Scott: The Farmer’s Life.
The Bigger Picture: Agriculture and Iowa’s Economy
Iowa agriculture contributes over $53 billion to the state’s GDP and supports 1 in 5 jobs statewide (Iowa State Extension). With corn and soybean production at the core of rural communities, solutions must balance:
Environmental protection – reducing nitrate runoff.
Economic sustainability – ensuring farm families can remain profitable.
Climate resilience – adapting to extreme weather events that drive nutrient loss.
Building Bridges: Collaboration Over Conflict
The heart of the discussion is about building trust. Farmers and utilities are both making massive investments—whether in treatment plants or conservation practices. But trust, shared data, and collaboration are what will deliver measurable improvements.
Data sharing: Transparent reporting on nutrient reductions builds confidence.
Partnerships: Joint investments between utilities, farmers, and policymakers can accelerate adoption.
Leadership: Success requires voices from both agriculture and water utilities working together.
This is about more than compliance—it’s about protecting Iowa’s heritage while safeguarding the future.
Conclusion: A Shared Path Forward
The nitrate issue is complex, but solutions are emerging when farmers and utilities work together. Public health, environmental stewardship, and agricultural productivity don’t have to be at odds. With science, collaboration, and leadership, Iowa can set an example for the rest of the country.
🎧 Catch the full episode: Farm4Profit Podcast.
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