NEWS RELEASE: Centennial Certificate Presentation to Board of Water Works Trustees
For 100 years, Des Moines Water Works has operated independently with a commitment to leading, advocating and investing in central Iowa by providing safe, affordable and abundant drinking water. The Des Moines Historical Society will present a centennial certificate to the Board of Water Works Trustees of the City of Des Moines in recognition of the water utility’s first board meeting held on November 13, 1919.
The centennial certificate presentation, along with remarks by current Board of Trustee members and Des Moines Water Works Interim CEO and General Manager Ted Corrigan, will take place on November 12, at 3:00 pm, at Des Moines Water Works’ general office – 2201 George Flagg Parkway.
“The Board of Trustees and the dedicated and knowledgeable Des Moines Water Works staff has a long history of planning, coordinating and investing in meeting drinking water needs, economic development, and wise management of a limited natural resource in Des Moines and surrounding Central Iowa communities,” said Diane Munns, Chair of Des Moines Water Works Board of Trustees.
A few highlights of Des Moines Water Works 100-year history include:
- Expanded treatment technologies to meet the needs of the growing central Iowa community and to respond to degrading source water quality;
- Established wholesale water agreements with neighboring communities to meet their customer needs – including the first suburban customer of Urbandale in 1934;
- Collaborated with wholesale customers to build two additional treatment plants for added water supply and redundancy after the historic Flood of 1993;
- Continued investment and advocacy for source water protection in Iowa – including two 1,500-acre public parks – to protect drinking water sources;
- Led discussion among community partners for a regional approach to meet the water need in Central Iowa for decades to come.
“From the very beginning, Des Moines Water Works’ mission has been to protect public health by providing safe and affordable drinking water,” said Ted Corrigan, Interim CEO and General Manager, Des Moines Water Works. “From expanding the distribution system for fire protection in the early 1900s to meeting the drinking water needs of 500,000 central Iowans and the region’s thriving economy with challenging source waters, Des Moines Water Works’ mission remains the same as it was 100 years ago and will guide us in meeting water needs for the next generation.”
More information and videos of Des Moines Water Works’ early history can be viewed here.