Des Moines Water Works ended 2015 operating its nitrate removal facility for a record 177 days, eclipsing the previous record of 106 days set in 1999. Running the equipment to remove nitrate cost $1.5 million, and the utility’s ratepayers are facing the prospect of an $80 million tab to replace the plant. The utility, which has a standing federal lawsuit against three northwest Iowa counties over nitrate pollution from drainage districts, blamed the nitrate problems on upstream farms. “Iowa’s political leadership, with influence from industrial agriculture and commodity groups, continue to deny Iowa’s water quality crisis,” said Bill Stowe, Water Works CEO and general manager. “Defending the status quo, avoiding regulation of any form, and offering the illusion of progress and collaboration, places the public health of our water consumers at the mercy of upstream agriculture and continues to cost our customers millions of dollars.” Read the full news release.