Des Moines Water Works Produces and Distributes Record 20 Billion Gallons

Despite a year of water quality and water quantity challenges, Des Moines Water Works, central Iowa’s drinking water provider, ended 2023 with a record year of customer demand.

Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) produced and distributed 20,052,489,000 gallons. This is another record-breaking customer demand year and the first year of treating and distributing 20 billion gallons of water for 600,000 central Iowans. 

“Even with significant drought and ongoing source water quality challenges, the investments central Iowans have made in the water production system, as well as the expertise of our skilled employees, allowed us to treat and distribute the water the Des Moines metro needed,” said Ted Corrigan, CEO and General Manager of Des Moines Water Works.

The increase in water demand is likely the result of increased population in central Iowa, as well as the drought, which led customers to water their lawns for longer stretches through the year, DMWW officials said.

Des Moines Water Works’ average daily customer demand has grown in the past 20 years from 45 million gallons a day to just under 55 million gallons per day. During the warmer months, that number can increase to between 80 million and 85 million, much of which is attributed to lawn watering and outdoor water use.

“While we were able to meet customer demand in 2023, we still need customers to use water wisely,” Corrigan said. “If drought conditions continue in 2024, we are prepared to implement our water shortage plan in order to ensure there is ample supply for public health over discretionary water use.”