Iowa Supreme Court Ruling Good News for Farmers

A ruling in January from the Iowa Supreme Court prevents Des Moines Water Works from receiving damages from north Iowa drainage districts over high nitrate levels.

The ruling was a blow to the Des Moines utility’s lawsuit that claims underground drainage tiles in Sac, Calhoun and Buena Vista counties funnel high nitrate levels from farm fields into the Raccoon River, a source of water for 500,000 central Iowa residents.

The decision was a relief to northern Iowa counties and to Iowa farmers and ag groups. Farm groups said the case has been a distraction from work to improve water quality.

“It renews hope that the federal district judge will dismiss the case and Des Moines Water Works will abandon its expensive and divisive litigation,” said Rolland Schnell, president of the Iowa Soybean Association board.

“It also renews our optimism that the utility will re-engage in a cooperative approach with rural Iowa to make real and long-lasting improvements in water quality,” Schnell said.

Source: Des Moines Register