Dirty Tap Water in Des Moines, IA and How to Clean It

EWG's NEW tap water database is here.  I originally wrote this article in July 2019, and have just updated it to reflect the new data from Des Moines Water Works. 

​Many people drink tap water straight from their faucet, but did you know there are several contaminants in our tap water?  Specifically, for Des Moines, Iowa, I did a quick check on the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) website which has systematically run water tests and checks throughout Greater Des Moines and the rest of the United States, and it was found that there are approximately seven (7) contaminants within our Des Moines Water Works water supply which, while don't meet EWG (Environmental Working Group)  guidelines, are still present in our water, and there are around 10 other detected contaminants in our tap water!

Out of these seven (7) contaminants that exceed standards in our tap water, ALL of them are known to increase the risk of cancer.  Again, this is all stated in the EWG website.  I find this to be a unique tool:  all you have to do is click here, punch in your zip code, and it will bring up the results of the water quality tests completed in that area. While Des Moines, IA is in compliance with legally mandated federal standards, there is still one obvious fact:  we still have contaminants in our tap water!

What kind of contaminants are in our tap water?

According to the EWG website, these are the following contaminants in Des Moines, Iowa's water supply which include the eleven ones that exceed health guidelines at the top of the list and the rest that are simply detected in our water supply:

• Bromodichloromethane 175x, cancer
• Chloroform, 53x, cancer
  
• Chromium (hexavalent), 36x, cancer
• Dibromochloromethane, 62x cancer
• Dichloroacetic acid, 8.6x, cancer
• Nitrate, 42x, cancer 
• Radiological contaminants, cancer
• Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), 263x, cancer 

Other contaminants detected:

• Hormones (Hormones in drinking water come from human and animal wastewater discharged into drinking water sources. Conventional drinking water treatment does not remove hormones.)
• Atrazine (pesticide known to change male frogs into female frogs)
• Trichloroacetic acid
  
• Chlorate
• Chromium (total)
• cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
• Dibromoacetic acid
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
• Metolachlor
• Molybdenum
• Strontium
  
• Vanadium
  

It's difficult to prioritize the damage and health threat among these contaminants because they are all detrimental to our health, and when combined together day-after-day, the toxin burden to our bodies can cause real damage.

The research is profound. Let's look at nitrates alone.  According to the Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa nitrate levels are killing us. The top health effects of nitrates in drinking water include:

• blue baby syndrome - a fatal condition when red blood cells become unable to bind with oxygen.
• increased risks of bladder, ovarian, thyroid cancers in women and birth defects with prenatal exposure.
• blue green algae blooms caused by excess nutrients release toxin that pass through standard water treatment facilities. The toxins affect the nervous system, liver, digestive system, and form tumors. They also make the water taste bad.

In June 2019, a EWG peer-reviewed research study estimated cancer cases in each state in America.  In Iowa, 300 cancer cases per year are estimated to be directly-related to nitrates in our drinking water.  Study here.

Beyond nitrates, disinfectants like chlorine used to treat drinking water can react with algae to form byproducts, such as trihalomethanes. These are linked to rectal, bladder, and colon cancers; reproductive health, liver, kidney, and central nervous system problems. 

IN-HOME ANALYSIS OF YOUR H20

How to Clean Dirty Tap Water in Des Moines, IA

Luckily for us residing in Greater Des Moines, and the United States, there are many ways we can clean dirty tap water and rid our homes of gross bacteria and other contaminants which could be harboring in your water.

1. REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM Using a membrane to purify water, an RO system removes all bacteria and viruses from the drinking water at a specific spigot in the home, and  also removes chemical contaminants at a molecular level such as nitrates, fluoride, arsenic, chromium, lead, pesticides, herbicides, etc. (to name a few).
   
2. WHOLE HOUSE CARBON FILTER  Incoming water is polished and clarified by the whole-house taste & odor filter that removes chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals that are often found in tap water. Typically, the QRS filter is placed ahead of a RainSoft water conditioner (softener) and feeds it very clean water, allowing the two pieces of technology to work together, and helping the conditioner to last longer.
   
3. WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM Hard water is known to clog pipes, shower heads, and can eventually ruin your home appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, etc (not to mention carry all kinds of bacteria and contaminants).  It also sticks to skin and hair allowing chemicals in our soap products to bind to the calcium and clog pores.  This leads to skin allergies and hormone disruption.  By purchasing a Rainsoft water softener system from The Detox Artist, our water softener systems remove positively charged ions typically from magnesium and calcium.  You no longer need to use harmful soap products in your home that are laden with chemicals intended to soften your water because you've got the softest, cleanest water on the block.
   

About Rainsoft by The Detox Artist in Des Moines, IA

The Detox Artist, LLC is a trained contractor of Rainsoft of Des Moines - an authorized dealer for Rainsoft.  Based in Des Moines, IA, The Detox Artist services the 1.2 million water consumers in the 75-mile area throughout Central and Southern Iowa including Greater Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Newton, Ottumwa, Indianola, Oscelola, Lamoni, Corning, Atlantic, Adair, Panora, Perry, Carroll, Ames and Webster City. Rainsoft of Des Moines has been servicing these areas since 1978. We offer home water softener systems, drinking water filtration systems, problem-solving water filtration systems, and whole house air cleaner systems.

We specialize in water filtration for both commercial businesses and residential homes.  If you would like a free estimate, schedule an appointment with us by calling (515) 289-6263 and we will take a look at what's going on specifically with your water.

We offer Lifetime Warranty and Product replacement service.
 Call: 515-289-6263

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by Erica Abell-Holland

At The Detox Artist by RainSoft, we provide in-home water quality tests to all prospective customers.  Book now!