Waukee Water Supply

Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) operates three water treatment facilities throughout central Iowa. Each facility employs multiple safeguards to ensure water quality and safety. These include monitoring source water, implementing riverbank filtration, utilizing treatment processes like softening and disinfection, and maintaining rigorous distribution system oversight.

The Taylorsville Water Treatment Plant in northern Polk County serves residents north of Des Moines. This facility processes approximately 10 million gallons of Des Moines River water daily using advanced ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis technologies. It stands as Iowa's largest membrane treatment facility and DMWW's first of its kind.

The L.D. McMullen Treatment Facility at Maffitt Reservoir, located southwest of the metro area, processes up to 25 million gallons of Raccoon River water daily. This facility serves southwest Des Moines, portions of Warren Water District, Waukee, and sections of Clive, Urbandale and West Des Moines. Water is collected through radial collector wells situated in sand and gravel formations beneath the river, providing natural filtration before collection.

All other areas within DMWW's service region receive water from the Fleur Drive Treatment Plant, which processes up to 75 million gallons daily from three possible sources: the Raccoon River, Des Moines River, or an Infiltration Gallery (underground pipes located in Water Works Park adjacent to the Raccoon River).

DMWW's scientists test source water daily to determine optimal treatment approaches. They continue testing throughout processing and in the finished product to ensure safety. Once treated, water travels through more than 1,300 miles of mains to homes and businesses throughout Des Moines and surrounding communities.

Municipal water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves across land or through soil, it dissolves naturally-occurring substances and may collect contaminants from animal or human activities. Potential contaminants include:

• Inorganic compounds like salts and metals, occurring naturally or from urban runoff, sewage discharge, industrial processes, or agricultural activities
• Microorganisms including viruses and bacteria from agricultural operations, sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, and wildlife
• Organic chemicals, both synthetic and volatile, from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture and urban stormwater runoff
• Radioactive materials occurring naturally or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

Before delivery to your home, water undergoes testing by certified laboratories at DMWW's Fleur Drive Treatment Plant, including the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab. The 2017 report includes samples from DMWW's three treatment plants and distribution systems they supply.

All water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably contain minimal amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Certain populations – including those with compromised immune systems, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, some elderly persons, and infants – may be particularly vulnerable to waterborne contaminants. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption.

Nitrate levels exceeding 10 parts per million (ppm) pose health risks for infants under six months, potentially causing blue baby syndrome. DMWW employs various strategies to maintain treated water below this threshold, including source water mixing and, when necessary, ion exchange treatment technology. Despite recent elevated nitrate levels in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers, DMWW's treated water has remained below the 10 ppm standard since implementing nitrate removal in 1992.

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. DMWW minimizes potential lead exposure through a corrosion control program approved by Iowa's Department of Natural Resources. Lead in municipal water primarily originates from materials in private service lines and home plumbing. If water has been sitting for several hours, you can reduce potential lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking.

Cryptosporidium, a microbial pathogen found in surface water throughout the U.S., enters watersheds through human and animal waste. While filtration removes Cryptosporidium, conventional methods cannot guarantee complete elimination. Ingestion can cause cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal infection causing nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. While most healthy individuals recover within weeks, those with compromised immune systems, infants, children, and elderly persons face higher risks of life-threatening illness.

1. How often is municipal water tested in Waukee?
2. What filtration methods are used by Waukee Water Supply?
3. How can residents determine if their home plumbing contains lead?
4. What steps should immunocompromised residents take regarding tap water?
5. Are home water filtration systems recommended for Waukee residents?