Water Distribution

The Distribution System operated by Des Moines Water Works consists of more than 1,300 miles of pipe in Des Moines and surrounding communities in addition to unincorporated areas in Polk and Warren Counties.  The system includes piping ranging in size from 2-inchs to 48-inchs in diameter, nearly 9,000 fire hydrants, and 8,000 valves.  Distribution Department staff performs regular maintenance on all system components and repairs an average of 200 water main breaks each year. 

In addition Distribution staff processes more than 32,000 utility locates, and completes 500 new service taps annually, maintains computerized records of the distribution system, administers the utilities backflow prevention program, and performs computerized leak detection on public and private water lines.