Water

Exploring the environmental impact of increased use of artificial intelligence, in Iowa and around the country.

Nitrate levels remain elevated in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, two of the drinking water sources for Central Iowa Water Works' 600,000 customers. The regional utility recently shared how it tests water and removes nitrates at one of its plants to meet federal drinking water standards.

A look at this week's headlines in Iowa, including a conversation with a Bosnian American for World Refugee Day.

Nitrate levels are still at dangerous levels in Des Moines’ rivers. To keep the area’s sources for drinking water from exceeding EPA standards, Central Iowa Water Works is continuing its ban on lawn watering, possibly for weeks.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is awarding nearly $2.7 million in matching grants to 14 projects this year. One of the sites is Legacy Woods Nature Sanctuary, a new development in West Des Moines.

A professor of electrical and computer engineering discusses the challenges of dealing with AI's vast and growing energy footprint and water usage.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said nitrate and nitrite levels in six sections of the Cedar, Des Moines, Iowa, Raccoon and South Skunk rivers exceed safe drinking water standards and need to be curtailed.

Officials with the Iowa DNR investigated a jellyfish native to China in rural Guthrie County. Meanwhile, Oskaloosa Schools reported a student found the freshwater creatures while fishing in Mahaska County.

Tourism officials and businesses in the Iowa Great Lakes region are seeing lower crowds and revenues this season due to flooding that hit the area at end of June and into early July.

Law enforcement officials say they lack guidance and resources to enforce the law and worry it could harm community relations in towns with large immigrant populations.