The recent Register ed­it­­orial, "Not enough was done to avoid water lawsuit," was right to point out the disappointment and missed opportunity, but the disappointment lies with the "hair-trigger" Des Moines Water Works’ (DMWW) litigious approach. It’s also disappointing that the Register missed an op­­portunity to re­­port the progress that has been made, even in DMWW’s own watershed.

DMWW’s own data show a downward trend of nitrates in the Raccoon River, going as far back as at least 2006. Progress continues today, with 16 more targeted demonstration projects.

These collaborative efforts are happening elsewhere because 95 organizations are behind them, including Farm Bureau, with farmers and local partners leveraging more...