About DMWW
Water plays a key role in your health and Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) plays a key role in providing you with a safe, clean, healthy water supply. DMWW operates two water treatment plants in Central Iowa: One on Fleur Drive and a second at Maffitt Reservoir, located southwest of the metropolitan area. The Treatment Plant on Fleur Drive treats water pumped from one of three sources: Raccoon River, Des Moines River, Infiltration Gallery - ground water collected through a series of pipes below ground next to the Raccoon River. The Treatment Plant at Maffitt Reservoir treats water from the Raccoon River. The water is obtained through radial collector wells located horizontally in the coarse sand and gravel formation beneath the river. The shallow groundwater receives natural filtration prior to entry into the wells. The groundwater is pumped to the treatment plant via a series of pipes and pumps that interconnect all five of the wells and the horizontally drilled well. This innovative horizontal well formation was designed and constructed by DMWW staff.
DMWW's chemists and microbiologist test the untreated water daily to determine the best source water. They also test the treated water every day to ensure that it is a healthy and safe product. The tests include bacterial analysis, softening levels and testing for other contaminants.
Once treated, there are more than 1000 miles of underground water mains and pipe (iron, concrete and plastic) distributing the water to homes in Des Moines and surrounding communities. A peak pumpage record was set on Monday, June 19, 2006, when DMWW pumped 91.72 million gallons in a single day!
DMWW sells water to many cities and other entities in Central Iowa. We also have other service relationships with some of these entities to provide billing and collection services, meter reading, field service:
- Berwick Water District
- City of Alleman
- City of Altoona
- City of Ankeny
- City of Bondurant
- City of Clive
- City of Cumming
- City of Johnston
- City of Norwalk
- City of Pleasant Hill
- City of Runnells
- City of Waukee
- City of Windsor Heights
- Greenbrier Estates
- Greenfield Plaza Benefited Water District
- Polk City
- Polk County Benefited Water District
- Polk County Rural Water District #1 (Saylorville)
- Urbandale Water Department
- Warren Water District
- West Des Moines Water Works
- Xenia Rural Water District
Des Moines Water Works is an independently operated public utility providing drinking water to more than 400,000 people in Des Moines, Iowa and the surrounding metropolitan area. The utility was established as a private company in 1871 and has been customer-owned since 1919. Today, it is the largest water utility in Iowa. DMWW is also among the largest 100 utilities in the country and is recognized as an industry leader.
DMWW also operates Water Works Park, approximately 1500 acres of land near downtown Des Moines. Water Works Park is the largest park located within a city's limits in the United States… even larger than New York City's Central Park! Maffitt Reservoir includes 1300 acres of land, including wooded areas and a 200 acre lake popular for fishing.
Dr. L. D. McMullen retired as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Des Moines Water Works, Des Moines, Iowa, on December 21, 2007, having served in this capacity since 1986. Dr. McMullen, known as L.D. to everyone, established a strong, solid foundation for the utility.
Des Moines Water Works has the next-to-highest revenue bond rating in the water utility industry. Its water rates are below the national average, it produces high-quality potable water from highly variable source water conditions, operates two water treatment plants with a third plant under construction, and will soon place two deep well potable water storage facilities in service to help insure a reliable water supply. Its staff is committed to excellence and responsive, quality customer service.
The utility has operated as the regional water supplier for over 20 years and is poised to continue to meet and manage the challenges of a growing metropolitan area.
The utility began a three-year, comprehensive planning process in 2007 that will evaluate and plan for all facets of the utility operations from its infrastructure, to its financing, to its people resources, recognizing the challenges ahead in succession planning for the anticipated staff retirements over the next ten years.
At Des Moines Water Works...
Our Vision is:
Delivering world class products and services of tomorrow, today.
Our Mission is:
Des Moines Water Works is an independently operated utility that provides quality water in reliable quantities. Operating on the cutting edge with fiscal responsibility, Des Moines Water Works will anticipate and meet the needs and expectations of an expanding base of Iowa customers.
Our Core Values are:
We meet our mission with:
Service ~ We are committed to exceeding customer expectations and anticipating future needs.
Responsibilty ~ We care for utility assets including utilizing our land resources for the public good and enjoyment.
Stewardship ~ We are environmentally sensitive advocates of the natural resources.
Utilizing:
Innovation ~ We encourage employees to challenge traditional approaches, develop best in class practices, and seek opportunities to apply emerging technologies.
Productivity ~ We are inspired by the work we do and demonstrate our commitment through the results we achieve.
Expertise ~ We embrace employee life long learning to maximize our skills and abilities insuring technically sound procedures and practices.
Partnership ~ We build cooperative relationships through effective joint ventures within industry, government and our community.
Emphasizing:
Integrity ~ We hold each other in high regard and work honestly and ethically to ensure interactive, successful relationships.
Diversity ~ We appreciate our diverse backgrounds and cultures and value each other’s contributions.
Safety ~ We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees, customers and communities where we operate.