KCCI Investigates: Art installation honors Bill Stowe's lessons on water quality
Bill Stowe's widow says the former Des Moines Water Works CEO was passionate about education and water.
Bill Stowe's widow says the former Des Moines Water Works CEO was passionate about education and water.
Construction is underway on a public art and education piece in Water Works Park, inspired by the late Bill Stowe, the former CEO of Des Moines Water Works.
It's called "Water Curia" and aims to teach about water quality.
The title is appropriate, Stowe's family and former colleagues say, as the education portion focuses on water quality, a message Stowe embraced. "Curia" is Latin and can mean a gathering place.
"Education was his passion and education about water, in particular, in those last years he worked here," said Amy Beattie, who was married to Stowe.
Beattie talked with KCCI Investigates recently near the in-progress installation.
Her husband raised concerns about Iowa's water quality a decade before there were lawn-watering bans or major investment from lawmakers on conservation efforts and water utility infrastructure.
"He was the canary in the coal mine to a certain extent," Beattie said.
In the mid-2010s, Stowe led the lawsuit against drainage districts in three northwest Iowa counties. The suit claimed that agricultural runoff made its way to Des Moines Water Works to be treated.
"Iowa's water quality in our lakes, rivers and streams are a drinking water catastrophe waiting to happen," Stowe said in April 2017. "As Iowans, we will have to address that before that catastrophe is actually manifested. To do that, we'll have to work together, recognizing there will be disagreements."
Stowe made these statements at an announcement that the lawsuit was being dropped.
"He was at the right place at the right time in bringing forth the message about water," Beattie said.
Graham Gillette led the Des Moines Water Works board of trustees that hired Stowe.
When Stowe died of cancer in 2019, there was discussion about how to honor his work.
"We wanted to do something to further his legacy," Gillette said.
Perhaps an outdoor classroom, and the idea evolved into "Water Curia." Des Moines native Jordan Weber designed the installation. It will feature a walking path, seating, and seasonal lessons. Construction should be done by November.
"This is going to be a gathering space, a physical space that is a reminder that water quality should be on the topmost part of our agenda, political or otherwise," Gillette said.
It's a coincidence that Water Curia is nearing completion as water quality is more of a concern to Iowans.
Beattie says she expects that if Stowe were alive, he would be active in the conversations going on.
"I don't know in what capacity, but I think … he never wanted to get into politics," she said. "If anything, he would have been doing — he would have been teaching."