Availability of ground water in Decatur County, Iowa

Decatur County and several other counties in south-central Iowa comprise an area that has been chronically short of good-quality water.  Municipalities, industries and rural water users alike have been affected by the water shortage.  Municipalities have experienced serious problems in obtaining potable supplies adequate to keep pace with their growth and development: industrial expansion has been hindered and continues to be hindered by the shortage of good-quality water; and rural supplies for domestic and livestock use are difficult to obtain at many places.  The increased use of water for all purposes and periodic drought conditions have greatly magnified an already serious problem of water shortage.