Des Moines Water Works has again activated its nitrate removal system, which was recently turned off following a long run over the winter. Water Works said it will have to run the system to keep health-threatening nitrate under federal limits. In a statement, the utility said the nitrate trouble is “largely attributed to agricultural land practices,” mainly fertilizer applications. Water Works said high nitrate readings in 2013 cost the utility and its customers $900,000 in treatment and lost revenue, and added $540,000 in expenses this past winter. Water Works  has said it may have to spend another $76 million to $183 million to rebuild its nitrate removal plant. The utility, which has approximately 500,000 customers, recently sued Sac, Calhoun and Buena Vista counties, contending the drainage districts they operate are point sources of nitrate pollution and should be subject to federal permits. 

 See our guide to the lawsuit on BusinessRecord.com