Des Moines Water Works

10/20/2026

We're hiring! Lead the team that keeps water flowing across central Iowa.

Des Moines Water Works is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Director of Water Distribution to lead the people, operations and infrastructure that help deliver clean, reliable drinking water to more than 600,000 central Iowans.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at Iowa's largest water utility while helping shape the future of our water system.

We're looking for a leader who can:
• Build and support high-performing teams while fostering a strong culture of safety and accountability.
• Oversee critical water distribution operations, maintenance and infrastructure improvements.
• Drive innovation, operational efficiency and long-term system resilience.
• Collaborate across departments to advance our mission of delivering Water You Can Trust for Life.

At Des Moines Water Works, our work matters. Every day, our employees help protect public health and provide an essential service our communities depend on.

Ready to lead with purpose? Learn more and apply at www.dmww.com/careers Application closes November 2, 2026, at 3 p.m. Central.

10/19/2026

From learning about water to inspiring others to value it ...

Our first William G. Stowe Water Academy capstone project is officially out in the community!

In recognition of Imagine a Day Without Water, one group of Academy participants created an informational handout to remind residents of the importance of clean, reliable drinking water and the role we all play in using it wisely.

Their message is simple: While Des Moines Water Works delivers clean, reliable drinking water every day, each of us has a responsibility to manage how we use water in our homes. That includes checking for leaks, which can waste water without us even realizing it.

The handout includes a QR code to learn more about Flume, a smart water monitor that attaches to a home's water meter and tracks water use, helping residents identify potential leaks. Watch this video to learn more about Flume: https://youtu.be/RWrBNRv4-e0

Look for their handout at Des Moines City Hall and the downtown Central Library!

We're proud to see our Water Academy participants turning what they've learned into action, sharing valuable information and becoming advocates for one of our community's most essential resources.

10/16/2026

What does it take to run a water utility?

This week, participants in Des Moines Water Works' William G. Stowe Water Academy stepped into the role of utility decision-makers through Wateropolis, an interactive simulation game.

Participants explored the challenges of setting priorities, managing budgets and making decisions about where to invest limited resources.

The exercise offered a firsthand look at the difficult choices water utilities face every day as they balance infrastructure needs, water quality, affordability and long-term planning.

Because delivering clean, reliable drinking water isn't just about what comes out of the tap. It's also about the decisions and investments that make it possible.

10/15/2026

Imagine a day without water.

No showers. No coffee. No clean dishes. No water to drink.

For most of us, clean drinking water is something we rarely have to think about. We turn on the tap and expect it to be there.

And that's exactly how it should be.

Thanks to the dedicated employees of Des Moines Water Works, hundreds of thousands of central Iowans can count on clean, reliable drinking water every day.

Behind every drop is a team of water professionals working around the clock to treat, test and deliver water that protects public health and keeps our community running.

On Imagine a Day Without Water, we're reminded of something important: Water is essential. And so are the people who make it possible.

Our people. Your water. Every day.

10/13/2026

Construction continues on Water Curia in Des Moines Water Works Park.

The foundations are complete, and two of the concrete walls have been wrapped in stone. Crews are now working on the concrete flooring and preparing for the installation of the Knowledge Walk, which will feature steel panels designed to help visitors learn more about water.

Next up: Installation of the Knowledge Walk panels, followed by the stainless-steel columns and decorative features. Construction is expected to wrap up in early December, with landscaping and plantings to follow in the spring.

This project is being built by The Stowe Foundation. You can see the final design in the last two photos here. Learn more: https://www.stowefoundation.org/

10/08/2026

“It’s not just my farm. I share it with a lot of living things.” — Seth Watkins, Pinhook Farm

That powerful reminder helped set the tone for Session 3 of the William G. Stowe Water Academy, where participants explored the connections between land stewardship, water quality and public health.

Seth shared his approach to caring for the land, emphasizing that farming isn't just about what we produce, but also about protecting the soil, water, wildlife and ecosystems that sustain us all. His message reinforced an important lesson: What happens on the land ultimately affects the water we drink.

Learn more about Seth and his farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ0wP9FJU1s

Participants also heard from David Cwiertny, a University of Iowa Professor and director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC) about our shared responsibility for protecting public health and from the Polk County Health Department about the connection between drinking water and community health.

Along the way, Water Academy teams presented action plans for their capstone projects, taking another step toward turning what they've learned into meaningful community engagement.

10/07/2026

Des Moines Water Works would like to thank everyone who joined us last night for Tapped In: Understanding Water in Central Iowa.

Drinking water is something we all depend on, and understanding where our water comes from, how it is treated and monitored, and the challenges facing our source waters helps all of us be better informed about this vital resource.

A special thank you to our panelists and community partners who shared their expertise and helped us explore water from multiple perspectives — from drinking water and wastewater to science, policy and source water protection.

At Des Moines Water Works, protecting public health is at the heart of what we do. We also believe that confidence in the water coming from your tap today and working toward cleaner source water for tomorrow can — and should — go hand in hand.

Stay curious. Stay engaged. Here’s where to find information:

Des Moines Water Works
dmww.com
drinking water questions
water quality information
customer account assistance

City of Des Moines - Government
dsm.city and dmmwra.org
stormwater management practices
wastewater reclamation authority
flooding and trail closures

Polk County Health Department
https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/know-your-water-know-your-health/
Know Your Water, Know Your Health campaign
health and water questions

Polk County Supervisors
https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/public-works/water-resources/polk-county-water-quality-initiatives/
Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment

Iowa Environmental Council
iaenvironment.org
beach and waterway health
legislative portal and advocacy
Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa’s Cancer Crisis Report

10/06/2026

All areas of Des Moines Water Works Park have reopened. Thanks to our team for working quickly to clean up from flooding. Enjoy the park and the beautiful weather this week!

10/06/2026

Join us tonight, Oct. 6! 6-7:30 p.m. at the Central Library in downtown Des Moines, 1000 Grand Ave.

What do you want to know about your water?

Join us for Tapped In: Understanding Water in Central Iowa, a community conversation about the water we depend on every day — where it comes from, how it’s treated and monitored, the challenges facing our source waters, and what all of us can do to help protect them.

Hear directly from experts representing Des Moines Water Works, the City of Des Moines, Drake University, The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and the Iowa Environmental Council. Then, bring your questions for a community discussion about water quality in central Iowa.

📅 Tuesday, October 6
🕕 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 Des Moines Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave.

At Des Moines Water Works, protecting public health starts with delivering clean, reliable drinking water every day. It also means helping our community understand the water we depend on and the work happening today to protect it for the future.

Come learn. Ask questions. Get tapped in.

10/05/2026

The Raccoon River crested early Saturday morning at 14.53 feet — substantially lower than earlier projections that reached as high as 18.5 feet. The river is expected to remain above flood stage until later today before continuing to recede.

This morning, the flood gates at the Fleur Drive Water Treatment Plant were reopened. The gates were closed last week as a precaution as river levels rose. Throughout the event, the plant remained protected and water treatment operations continued safely.

As water levels recede, Des Moines Water Works will begin cleanup in affected areas of Water Works Park and reopen portions of the park as conditions allow throughout the week.

Please continue to respect barricades and closures as cleanup work continues.

View City of Des Moines street closures and information here: dsm.city/floodalert