Central Iowa Water Works says its first-ever ban on lawn watering is cutting demand and easing worries that its utilities — hampered by high levels of health-endangering nitrates in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers — will be able to meet residents' and businesses' essential water needs and allow them to avoid more drastic measures. Still, residents should prepare to continue the mandatory conservation measure for "weeks, not days," given continued high nitrate levels, Des Moines Water Works General Manager Ted Corrigan said in a news conference on June 17. "Right now, we are still facing a very significant nitrate challenge," said Corrigan, who was joined at the news conference by Tami Madsen, Central Iowa Water Works executive director, and West Des Moines Water Works General Manager Christina Murphy. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #DesMoines #Iowa #nitrate #water #drinkingwater