SIP: Des Moines Water Works Usage Plan Meeting

Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) in collaboration with Safeguard Iowa Partnership and Polk County Emergency Management are providing an opportunity for businesses served by DMWW to attend an informational session regarding the Water Shortage Plan and the potential impacts to businesses if conditions warrant implementation of the plan. 

If conditions turn unfavorably dry and hot this summer, DMWW remains concerned about water quality and the quantity of water resources available for drinking water supplies.  To prepare for seemingly unpredictable weather conditions,  DMWW has developed a Water Shortage Plan to guide utility activities and communications in the event of a drought or any set of circumstances significantly reducing available water supplies.

What does this mean to DMWW customers?  It means customers may be asked to reduce water consumption, particularly in regards to irrigation. 

So that customers do not experience quality, availability, or pressure issues during periods of extreme water demand, this plan has several progressive stages that begin with DMWW requesting that customers voluntarily reduce turf irrigation by 25%. If demand continues to exceed 80% of DMWW’s capacity to produce quality drinking water, the plan progresses to more restrictive stages outlining a mandatory prohibition on all turf irrigation and sprinkler systems. Enforcement at this latter stage may also carry consequences, such as the termination of water for turf irrigation and/or an escalated water shortage rate structure.  If conditions turn extreme and water supplies are critically impaired, the water shortage rate structure allows for winter usage (March, April, May usage) throughout the summer, and any usage over that winter baseline will be charged at four (4) times the normal water rate.

The complete plan can be viewed here.  With the help of all customers becoming wise water users and working together, Des Moines Water Works can effectively and efficiently use the available water supply to provide Water You Can Trust for Life.