08/25/2026
So, I'm curious as to why the owners of this property were never sued by the city for poisoning DSM drinking water for 40 years. 120,000 gallons of TCE per year between 1946 and 1980, spreading waste sludge in an underground vat as well as spraying it on the ground directly. They released trichloroethene (TCE), 1,2-dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, pesticides, metals, and PCBs into the soil and groundwater. Why was this swept under the rug? Why are we now planning to build a soccer stadium and housing atop a site that has not been successfully mitigated? Literally poisoned all of the metro for decades before it was noticed, and not a single citizen has been or will likely ever be compensated for the damage done. All they've had to do is pay for the clean-up, which is more of a slap on the wrist than anything else. Oh, and there's also a toxic chemical plume currently threatening DSM waterworks intake point, and has been for DECADES! While they "regularly test to ensure TCE levels meet EPA standards", EPA standards are based off archaic testing practices. The EPA limit is 5ppb. Gues what the safe amount to ingest is? 0ppb. What's that mean? Des Moines Water Works is knowingly sending TCE laced water to all of your homes, and there is ZERO clean-up currently taking place. They didn't add the toxic plume to the EPA national priorities list until 2024, but the plume has existed for decades.
