Communities in central Iowa have a long history of working together on the management of water resources. In fact, a cooperative approach to providing water supply to the metro traces its roots back nine decades. DMWW has proactively worked with its suburban partners since its first regional agreement with Urbandale in 1934 when the community contracted with DMWW to supply its water.
After the 1993 flood, suburban partners contributed $100 million to build additional water treatment plants and facilities that are operated by DMWW. Today, these suburban partners use more than 50 percent of the water produced by the regional system.
Discussions about developing a regional drinking water 
authority have been ongoing in the metro for more than a decade, becoming more serious and productive among the three board-governed water utilities in in the metro needs to grow and thrive,” added Christina Murphy, general manager of WDMWW. “As we look to the future, we are facing many of the same challenges, and we have a fiduciary obligation to our customers to ensure ample water today and tomorrow. Collaborating on CIWW gives us more tools and opportunities for the future.”
CIWW would not replace or eliminate the water boards or water departments within each community, according to the proposed agreement. Each community would supply water it purchases from CIWW to its individual customers, set its own water rates, operate and maintain its local distribution system (mains and water towers), and provide all of its own customer service.
The governing agency of Central Iowa Water Works will work together to manage the growth of the water system. Each founding member will have a seat on the CIWW governing board.
“We are all getting our water from the same rivers and aquifers, and we are all trying to grow and add to the quality of life of our communities,” said Dale Acheson, general manager of the UWU. “The more we can work together to avoid costly duplication in water source development and treatment plant expansions, the better we can focus on growth and resiliency for individual communities as well as the entire region.”
The potential founding members that have expressed interest in considering the formation of a regional drinking water system are Ankeny, Bondurant, Clive, DMWW, Grimes, Johnston, Polk City, Urbandale, Warren Water District, WDMWW, Waukee and Xenia Rural Water District.
These potential partners will review the final agreement and begin taking steps to confirm their respective support and participation in the founding CIWW over the next month with the goal being to approve the 28E/F by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
West Des Moines Water Works is hosting several opportunities for public comment on the agreement and the formation of CIWW. The first is on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the main level of the Valley Junction Activity Center, 217 Fifth St., in West Des Moines.
The other opportunities for public comment and questions are:
Monday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m., board of trustees meeting, A.C. Ward Municipal Water Treatment Plant boardroom, 1505 Railroad Ave., West Des Moines
Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m., budget workshop, public comment section, at 1505 Railroad Ave.
Thursday, Nov. 2, at 12 Noon, Zoom session (details at www.wdmww.com)
Thursday, Nov. 9, at 12 Noon, Zoom session (details at www.wdmww.com)
Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m., board of trustees meeting, at 1505 Railroad Ave.
Monday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. Special meeting – Budget Hearing public input during public forum at 1505 Railroad Ave.
Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m. Trustees Board Meeting public hearing, vote on the CIWW 28E/F at 1505 Railroad Ave.
Previously
Second Draft of 28E/F Agreement Released
WDMWW Board of Trustees Vote to Move Forward
and Negotiate Agreements for Metro Regionalization
Resolution Approving Further Exploration
Frequently Asked Questions
Central Iowa Water Works Outcomes Report
Future Water Supply Needs for West Des Moines Presentation