Utilities
Water
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW), which services a majority of the region’s communities and unincorporated areas, has three treatment plants on-line with a combined reliable capacity of 110 million gallon per day (mgd). The average day demand is 46 mgd with a peak day demand of 92 mgd. DMWW has exceptional source water redundancy with the ability to draw water from both the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers in addition to an alluvial groundwater supply along the Raccoon River in Water Works Park.
The Utility also has off-stream storage at the Maffitt Park treatment plant site that provides greater source reliability during high nitrate and river flooding periods. In case of drought, DMWW has 5.0 billion gallons in reservoir storage, which is nearly 30 percent of what is used in a year. Additionally, DMWW has developed a series of Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells along with several suburban water utilities that by the year 2020 will have the capacity of 15 mgd and water storage of 1.5 billion gallons to offset peaking water use during traditionally high consumption periods on hot summer days.
DMWW just completed 5 year long range plans for the treatment plants and distribution system in 2009, demonstrating a commitment to proactively planning ahead to ensure all infrastructure is reliably maintained and there is excess capacity to meet the needs of new industrial/commercial facilities. Communities not receiving water from Des Moines Water Works are served by municipal wells and aquifers.
Sewage Treatment
The Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WRF) is a 50 million gallon per day (mgd) wastewater treatment facility that can treat a peak flow of 200 mgd. More than a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility, it represents long-term commitment and cooperation by the citizens of central
In response to new water quality standards, numerous metro cities have joined together as the Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA). The WRA owns and operates facilities including interceptor sewers, equalization basins, and lift stations linking the communities and the WRF. Outlying communities operate city-owned water pollution control facilities designed to service a growing population and industrial/commercial base.
Telecommunications
State of the art telecommunications capability is in place throughout the metropolitan area with multiple providers of fiber optic and long-distance services. Des Moines-area businesses find it easy to meet their telecommunications needs in a cost-effective manner.
Electric
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