(Exira, IA) Exira residents expressed frustration over ongoing water shortages and boil advisories during a visit from State Auditor Rob Sand. Since the 2019 flood, persistent drought has left water tables low, straining the Regional Water Rural Water Association system, which serves 2,600 connections across five counties.
A May 14 boil advisory, now lifted for most towns, followed low pressure in the system. Residents remain under water-use restrictions. Exira officials say Regional Water oversold the system capacity and failed to communicate clearly, especially about rate impacts and emergency notices.
Exira joined the system in 2005 under a 40-year contract after its own water plant failed, using USDA funding to join. City Clerk Meg Andersen said the town now feels stuck with an unsustainable water source.
Regional Water’s solution is an 18-mile pipeline to Council Bluffs, expected to temporarily begin operation June 11 and be fully complete by October 2025. General Manager Tom Kallman said the project will end restrictions, but Exira officials remain skeptical.
Exira City Council member Nathan Wahlert had this to say about the situation.
Some residents are turning to private wells. Sand said Exira’s situation deserves more attention from state leaders.
The city of Exira is exploring legal action to exit the water contract and has yet to be provided a long-term solution to its water supply struggles.
