KDSN Radio

Avoca Regional Water Rural Water Association meeting gets heated over mandatory water restrictions

Earlier this week in Avoca, residents confronted regional water manager Tom Kallman during a meeting about the implementation of a level red advisory, the highest level of mandatory water restrictions, affecting certain Iowa counties.  Kallman explained that regional water is constructing a pipeline from Council Bluffs to Pottawattamie County to pump water from the Missouri River.  "Right now, we have 740 gallons per minute that we can pull out of the well," said Kallman.  Despite these efforts, frustration persisted among the counties.  "We got a call on Thursday saying don't drink the water, and we're not even taking water, and say we're in dangerous situations, but they don't call us when we actually go into boil advisories for public health circumstances. That's a serious concern," said Exira City Clerk Meg Andersen. She said, despite all the city's efforts to monitor water usage, the responsibility falls on the board.  A county resident highlighted the ongoing nature of the issue.  Following these remarks, tensions rose, prompting Kallman to address the room.  Kallman said everyone is in this together, and everyone needs to do their part.  RWRWA is encouraging people to report residents and businesses abusing the water.