DES MOINES, Iowa — Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) announced on Thursday that a ban on lawn watering for residential and commercial customers will go into effect immediately.

The CIWW said the ban is being put in place to prevent a violation in nitrate standards, as water treatment facilities have been working at full capacity for over 50 days to remove a nearly record high level of nitrates in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Raccoon River last measured nitrate levels at 15.4 mg/L and the Des Moines River measured levels at 17.3 mg/L. The federal drinking water standard is 10 mg/L.

“We are pulling all levers at our treatment facilities and nitrate removal processes to prevent a violation,” Tami Madsen, executive director of CIWW, said. “Now we need full cooperation from the public. This is no longer a voluntary request.”

The first-ever ban comes after CIWW asked for a voluntary 25% and then 50% reduction in lawn watering on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Officials said that any CIWW and DMWW customer, both residential and commercial, found to be watering lawns will be notified of the violation and may have water service disconnected if watering continues. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

CIWW said that treated drinking water still meets all state and federal regulations at this time.

A press conference involving CIWW and other agencies will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Polk County Emergency Management.

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