Ethanol stirs fear of water shortage

Some say Iowa fuel plants may be depleting supplies

The mass quantity of water needed for Iowa’s booming ethanol industry – billions of gallons each year – has raised concerns among state officials who say laws may be needed to prevent a water shortage in the state.

Several lawmakers say that a close look at the issue is necessary and that laws may be needed to require ethanol facilities to recycle water.


“As it relates to water, I’m more concerned about the production of ethanol right now” than with the proximity of livestock facilities to streams, said state Sen. Matt McCoy, a Des Moines Democrat. “That’s got me very, very concerned.”

Ethanol advocates say the fear is unfounded and that, in general, the industry already pushes itself to conserve and maintain a reliable source of water.

Such mandates could damage Iowa’s growing renewable fuels industry, they said.

Des Moines Register