Des Moines Water Works

From the archives: Featured in the 1933 calendar were two images of the Pumping Station – still onsite at the Fleur Drive Treatment Plant – and the lagoon that had once been on site.

The beautification of the Fleur Drive Treatment Plant grounds started in 1922 when dirt from the construction of the Pumping Station was used to construct a lagoon and goldfish pond.

Visitors were welcome to stroll the grounds. In 1925, Florence Sprague, an art instructor at Drake University, was commissioned to make four frog sculptures for the pond. A brass frog sat at each corner of the pond with water spouting from its mouth.

The pond was removed in 1975 when the levee surrounding the treatment plant was constructed. Public access to roam the treatment grounds was also removed because of security.

Today, two of the frogs are in the atrium museum inside Des Moines Water Works General Office.

Apply today for the William G. Stowe Water Academy at Des Moines Water Works. Become a water ambassador and learn about the most value resource we have – the water we depend upon for life!

We have expanded the academy to five weeks to offer even more activities including a new community project.

Apply here: https://ow.ly/uAjB50Z0gLP. Participation is limited. The 2026 application period closes on Aug. 15.

You may have heard about the Infiltration Gallery and wondered: "What exactly is that?"

The Infiltration Gallery has been helping provide drinking water to the Des Moines area for more than 140 years. The new Water Curia art installation - currently under construction in Water Works Park (see photos) - incorporates elements of the gallery into its design.

Built beginning in 1884, the gallery was buried alongside the Raccoon River in Des Moines Water Works Park. River water naturally filters through layers of sand and gravel and enters perforated pipes where it is collected and sent for treatment.

The gallery was the sole source of water for Des Moines until 1948. Today, it stretches 3.5 miles.

Early sections were constructed from white elm wood before crews transitioned to concrete rings. More than 9,000 of them – made on-site and installed largely by men and horsepower – were pieced together. Construction continued through floods, changing river conditions and decades of city growth.

Here's what you need to know about the Stage 3 Water Warning:

Effective immediately:
❌ Lawn watering is prohibited for residential, commercial and government properties.

Limited exceptions remain for:
• Newly installed seed and sod (following Iowa State University guidelines – see comments)
• Sports fields and golf course greens (minimum watering for safety and preservation)
• Splash pads (at the discretion of individual cities)

🏠 Practice water conservation indoors.

✅ Drinking water continues to meet all state and federal standards.

This includes residents and businesses in Alleman, Berwick, Bondurant, Cu***ng, Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, Runnells, Unincorporated Polk County and Windsor Heights.

Central Iowa is experiencing unusually high nitrate levels in all three water sources used at the Fleur Drive Treatment Plant. While drinking water remains safe and meets all state and federal standards, additional treatment requirements have reduced water production capacity as summer demand increases.

This includes residents and businesses in Alleman, Berwick, Bondurant, Cu***ng, Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, Runnells, Unincorporated Polk County and Windsor Heights.

🚨The Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) Board of Trustees has initiated Stage 3 of its Water Use Plan, implementing a mandatory lawn watering ban for residential, business, and government customers across the region.

To help manage elevated nitrate concentrations in source waters and ensure adequate treatment capacity, the regional system is utilizing all available resources, including the Nitrate Removal Facility, Maffitt Reservoir, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells.

Visit: https://ciww.gov for more information on this notice and frequently asked questions.

All drinking water produced by Central Iowa Water Works meets all Safe Drinking Water Standards.

The following communities and agencies are affected by this alert: Ankeny, Clive, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk City, Waukee, Des Moines Water Works, Urbandale Water Utility, West Des Moines Water Works, Warren Water and portions of the Xenia Water District.

Where in the World is Des Moines Water Works? Our I ♡ dsmh2o bottle traveled to this area of the world known for unspoiled, natural beauty and crystal-clear Caribbean waters. Nearly the entire island is a protected national park.

Name the location and share this post for a chance to win a reusable DMWW stainless steel bottle! Note: your share settings must be set to public.

Did you know? Reusable water bottles reduce plastic waste. Single-use plastic bottles contribute significantly to environmental pollution.

We reached back into the historical archives with the help of a former Des Moines Water Works employee to find this calendar.

In 1932 and 1933, Des Moines Water Works had a yearly calendar printed.

Featured in 1932 was the Allen Hazen Tower, now located in Tower Park, 4900 Hickman Road in Des Moines. This iconic landmark, constructed in 1930, will undergo rehabilitation this summer. Constructed in the Doric architecture style, it has 16 pillars and a 2-million-gallon storage tank. It was named for Allen Hazen, a New York engineer known for his pioneering work in water treatment.

We’ll share the 1933 calendars with you next week!

Rain is in the forecast. Before the next storm rolls in, take a minute to check your sprinkler system. Many irrigation systems are programmed to run automatically.

Why does it matter? During the summer, lawn watering can account for up to 40 percent of daily water use. Small changes by many customers can make a big difference for our community's water supply.

You can help:
✅ Turn off sprinklers when rain is expected
✅ Skip a watering day
✅ Water only when your lawn truly needs it

Together, these simple actions help preserve critical water supplies, maintain reliable service, and ensure high-quality drinking water for our community all summer long.