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Council reviews Clive Water Resources Master Plan progress and warns of recurring nitrate risks
Summary
Staff reported 2025 progress on the Water Resources Master Plan — stormwater programs, tree sales, SQR participation — and emphasized persistent nitrate challenges in source waters; officials flagged the need for education, smart‑irrigation incentives and coordination with CIWW for future water‑shortage plans.
City staff presented the Clive Water Resources Master Plan annual update and discussed water‑quality and supply challenges.
Pete reviewed year‑to‑year accomplishments including the SQR cost‑share program (about $100,000 in interventions and more than 100 participating residents this year), a sold‑out tree sale and several stabilization and water‑quality projects in the watershed. He described outreach and small cost‑share programs and reported program financials (example: the tree sale used $10,000 budgeted funds and residents contributed $75 per tree in participant fees).
Pete turned to source‑water concerns: he said nitrate levels remained a primary concern and that Clive avoided exceeding the nitrate safe‑drinking‑water standard this summer only by imposing a temporary lawn‑watering restriction. "We did not do that, but only because we did pull that big lever and abandoned lawn watering for almost two months," Pete said, describing the city’s emergency response and the need for long‑term demand‑side measures such as smart irrigation controls and coordinated implementation of the CIWW water‑shortage plan. He recommended community education this spring to prepare residents for irrigation system management and suggested modest incentives and partnerships to adopt smart controllers.
Why it matters: Elevated nitrates and potential algal risks affect drinking‑water safety and system capacity; the plan ties stormwater and source‑water actions to broader municipal strategies that influence rates and supply planning.
What’s next: Staff will execute 2026 projects (Alys's Road, Little Walnut Creek restorations, park stormwater features), continue grant applications, report annually on Walnut Creek five‑year goals, and coordinate CIWW members on water‑shortage plan refinements and public outreach.
