How Des Moines residents can test their drinking water
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Residents who want to know more about their drinking water or lower their nitrate consumption can take a few steps, says Heather Wilson of the Izaak Walton League.
Why it matters: Central Iowa Water Works runs one of the world's largest public nitrate filtration systems, but research increasingly suggests that levels well below the current federal standards it follows may be unhealthy.
State of play: For anyone concerned about nitrates in their drinking water, Wilson recommends they request a free test kit from the conservation nonprofit.
- Central Iowa Water Works has warned about the efficacy of some at-home test strips, but Wilson says the league's strips test for nitrate nitrogen (nitrate-N), which is the same measurement used by water utilities when monitoring drinking water.
- "Water Works water is being tested hundreds of times a day. Trust that," Wilson says. "But then also, sprinkle this on top."
If someone uses a test strip and gets a higher nitrate level than they prefer, the most long-term, sustainable option is installing a reverse osmosis (RO) filtration system at home.
- Brita and fridge filters do not remove nitrates, Wilson says. And boiling water increases levels.
Zoom in: RO filtration costs vary depending on whether you're installing it in one spot or throughout your home, which can cost over $1,000. Systems can go below or above your sink.
- Grocery stores like Price Chopper offer RO refill stations, but this option, along with bottled water, is only a temporary solution. Wilson noted it's cumbersome when people need to cook or brush their teeth.
The intrigue: People who are drinking well water should test it annually.
Reality check: Anyone who gets their water from Central Iowa Water Works is already receiving drinking water that meets the EPA's standards of under 10mg/L.
The big picture: Wilson encourages everyone to think "upstream" and consider how they can help reduce water pollution at the source.
- "How are we going to address this more holistically and not just respond in times of crisis?" she says.