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A NASA-powered nitrate-forecasting system being piloted in Des Moines could help prevent drinking-water emergencies and restrictions.
Why it matters: The Iowa Water Quality Information System aims to assess nitrate risks and make more targeted, science-based decisions.
Driving the news: The Hydroscience and Engineering (IIHR) center at the University of Iowa is leading the three-year project, which also includes water utilities in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, the school announced this week.
How it works: Des Moines Water Works CEO Amy Kahler compared the system to weather forecasting.
- Researchers will combine NASA satellite imagery with precipitation, groundwater and water-quality measurements collected across Iowa.
- The project will also use data from IIHR's network of 60 real-time water-quality stations, and an AI model will analyze the data to detect patterns and predict changes.
Zoom in: Researchers aim to produce short-range forecasts covering one to seven days and longer-range forecasts spanning two to eight weeks, University of Iowa spokesperson Breanna Shea tells Axios.
Context: High nitrate levels are linked with increased risks of cancer and can cost Des Moines Water Works up to around $11,000 a day to remove.
- The metro has faced watering restrictions for two consecutive summers as utilities have struggled to remove nitrates while meeting drinking-water demand.
Reality check: It's too early to estimate whether the forecasts will produce measurable savings, Des Moines Water Works spokesperson Melissa Walker tells Axios.
By the numbers: The project will cost just over $737,000, including personnel time, Shea said.
What's next: Researchers plan to train, validate and test the models during the project's first year, which runs through May 2027.
- The system could begin providing forecasts to the public by the end of the second year, pending a full quality assessment.
