Suit Over Water Runoff Frustrates Lawmaker

Challenges with a water management system on Iowa farms has led to an “us vs. them” debate between urban and rural communities.

A lawsuit has been filed by public utility Des Moines Water Works against three Iowa counties, alleging that tile systems, or underground tubes that route water runoff from fields, channel nitrates into the Raccoon River and pollute a source of drinking water for Central Iowans.

The move so frustrated a lawmaker that he called for constituents to boycott Des Moines. Sen. Randy Feenstra (R) wrote an online commentary saying “I firmly believe that the power of our agricultural community needs to stand up against Des Moines.”

He said the suit shows a disregard for agriculture. Farmers work hard to reduce the level of nitrates that leave their fields and deserve an opportunity to resolve the matter without litigation, he said. S