Career Opportunities: Culture - Green Initiatives

Even before the green movement became popular, DMWW practiced a number of “green-friendly” initiatives, which we continue today:

• Member of the Climate Registry. www.theclimateregistry.org
• Recycled our used oil, tires, anti-freeze, vehicle batteries, used oil filters, and solvent for our parts washers for many years.

• Recycled scrap metal including pipe and fittings for over 20 year.

• Improved large pump efficiency with a special coating on the pump volute of several high service pumps.
• Changed treatment plant lighting over 20 years ago to more energy efficient fixtures. We utilized MidAmerican Energy’s efficiency program a couple of years ago to conduct an energy audit of the Fleur Drive Plant facilities. One of the projects implemented from this is the change-out to motion sensor light switches. We also recycle our light bulbs.
• Integrated a number of emergency generators where three of the units (Fleur Drive Operations Center, McMullen Water Treatment Plant, and Louise P. Moon Pumping and Storage Facility) are large enough to participate in Mid-American Energy’s (MEC) Curtailment Program.  The curtailment program is an effort by MEC to manage their own peak demands by allowing customers to generate their own electricity during peak periods in exchange for a curtailment rebate check.  DMWW will receive in excess of $185,000 in 2009 for participation in the program.
• Utilized high efficiency motor requirements for all new purchases for a number of years.
• Recycled the ink cartridges for the office printers.
• Recycled cell phones and computers.
• Recognized the agricultural value of our lime softening residuals when we designed and constructed the lime residual dewatering facility in 1993/94. 
• Discussed ways to reduce water treatment chemical costs a couple of years ago which led to slightly reducing the pH of the softening process which saved lime and carbon dioxide usage and in turn reduced residuals production. 
• Educated employees on the fuel consumption of idling vehicles, encouraging fuel reduction, and promoted other fuel reduction events such as Bike to Work Week.
• Promoted employee use of washable mugs and replaced Styrofoam coffee cups for guests with paper cups.
• Planted numerous trees in the Arie Den Boer Arboretum through our tree donor program.
• Established a crab apple arboretum and historic oak forest, as well as wetland, prairie and wild flower areas at Maffitt Lake Reservoir.
• Recycled storm damaged trees by grinding them into mulch used around the base of healthy trees.
• Created more “no mow” areas within the parks, creating more natural prairie.
• Partially dredged Killdeer Pond, creating more wetland.
• Sponsored assigned section of I-235 Adopt-a-Highway trash pick-up project and the Des Moines River Garbage Grab.