T-R FILE PHOTO Unlike other Iowa communities, Marshalltown residents can rely on nitrate-free and abundant water. Marshalltown Water Works regularly tests for nitrates in water coming from the eight working wells, and the chemical remains undetected. There has also not been a need to restrict usage as water levels for the community have remained high.

Despite elevated levels of nitrates in the Iowa River, Marshalltown residents do not have to worry about their drinking water.

According to the Iowa Water Quality Information Center, which uses United States Geological Survey monitors, the Wednesday nitrate level of the Iowa River at Marshalltown was 19.3 parts per million (mg/L). That exceeds the allowable 10 mg/L set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Since June 4, the lowest nitrate level for the Iowa River was recorded as 15.29 on June 5.

New Marshalltown Water Works General Manager Zach Maxfield said the water treatment plant does not draw water from the Iowa River.

“We source all of our water from wells, and are not impacted by the high Iowa River nitrate levels,” Maxfield said. “We have non-detectable levels of nitrates. We are very fortunate to have high-quality well water.”

Marshalltown’s water is protected by a limestone basin, so it is not threatened by the Iowa River.

The Marshalltown treatment plant tests the water on a quarterly basis, exceeding the required annual or six month test.

“We [understand] the importance of knowing nitrate levels,” Maxfield said.

Monitoring the nitrate is essential as high levels can impact how a person’s blood carries oxygen, and can result in methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue baby syndrome” in which an infant’s skin turns blue and can lead to death.

Marshalltown residents also do not have to be concerned about low water levels. Communities in southwest Iowa have been under water conservation orders after extended drought periods have resulted in depleted well water levels. Most of Marshall County is considered “abnormally dry” by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only a small section of the county extending from the northwest to the northeastern corner shows zero drought on the monitor.

“We have been fortunate,” he said. “We produce more than enough water for Marshalltown and surrounding communities. We have no concern about running out of water.”

On average, Maxfield said they produce 65 million gallons of water each day. The peak days will result in 100 million gallons, but that is when temperatures are hot and residents are watering lawns and golf courses and filling swimming pools.

Water Works draws the large amounts of water from eight wells, which range in age from 15 to 50 years old and descend to an average of 250 feet. There will be a ninth well added this summer.

“We will have nine working wells to keep up with the demand in Marshalltown, and we will not have slow production of that water,” he said.

Maxfield added that Water Works is in the long process of making the ninth well a reality. The water treatment staff collaborate with engineers, contractors and hydrogeologists – scientists who study groundwater – to begin test drilling for new wells. They have to consider aspects such as geological conditions, distance from structures and contaminants, water table depth and more.

“Hopefully we find a water source, and if not, we move over and do it again,” he said. “This way, we do not have to deal with high nitrates.”

While communities in central and southwest Iowa are struggling with maintaining water quality or low levels of water, Maxfield said Marshalltown’s water has remained a big talking point.

“We have one of the best in the state,” he said. “We tied with Ames last fall in a poll for the best water in Iowa. We are fortunate to have a good source of water and a good treatment plant. The staff take pride in making sure Marshalltown has water that is safe to drink and tastes good.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.