Residents raise water contaminant concerns and question MidAmerican payout at Waukee open forum

At the start of the Waukee City Council meeting on March 3, two residents used the open forum to raise public-health and utility concerns.

Veronica Lach, who identified herself as a soil and water conservation commissioner for Dallas County, said recent tests show elevated levels of atrazine and glyphosate in area water since 2019 and urged the city to use "a really good lab with the equipment that is needed to test for these contaminants." She also said she is immune suppressed and has been living outside her home for six months because she does not have water in the house.

"Our water has been testing since 2019 lehi high in atrazine and now, glyphosate, and we can't filter them out," Lach said. She asked the council to ensure planning for any water-system changes includes testing that can detect a broader range of contaminants.

Resident Dave Ross addressed a separate utility-related topic, saying he favors "getting rid of the gas company in Waukee" and asking where funds — which he referenced as about $18.9 million or $18.6 million from MidAmerican — would be allocated if a sale moved forward. "What is the city gonna do with that money?" Ross asked.

Council members and staff responded that the city has not allocated such funds. "There have not been specific discussions relative to what those funds would be used for," said Brad (city staff), noting the mayor and council conduct annual strategic planning and that any proceeds would be considered through that process if a sale proceeds.

The council did not take action on either matter during the meeting. No written correspondence on either topic was presented to the clerk for the public hearing items that followed.