BACKFLOW PREVENTION
West Des Moines Water Works works diligently to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to
its customers. This effort begins with protecting our water supply sources and continues through the entire
conveyance, treatment and distribution process until the water reaches your service line. The prevention of
backflow into the public water supply is an integral part of ensuring safe drinking water.
The water distribution system is designed to allow water to travel in one direction from the
treatment plant to the customer. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the opposite direction from the
normal flow. This unwanted process is known as backflow. When this occurs, potentially harmful contaminants can
mix with drinking water and threaten the safety of our potable water supply.
Essentially, backflow prevention devices are valves that prevent water from your home or
business from going back into the City's water system in the event of a sudden loss of pressure in the
distribution system. Irrigation systems are the first priority for backflow prevention programs because of
the possibility of contamination from lawn chemicals, pet waste or other pollutants.
West Des Moines Water Works manages an active backflow and cross-connection prevention
program. This program is required under state and local plumbing codes and is designed to prevent the
possible contamination of the public water supply through backflow from customers’ facilities. You can read more about the City of West Des Moines's
backflow requirements in City Code and the West Des Moines Backflow requirements in our installation,
operation and maintenance of water service pipes, fire service pipes and water meters regulations. Failure to maintain and test a required backflow prevention device could result in water being shut
off for non-compliance.
Click here to view WDM Water Works Cross Connection Control Program Standards for Protective Devices for Containment.