WDMWW Water Shortage Plan

Water Use Plan


July 20, 2026: Stage 3 watering ban ends. All customers in Stage 2, voluntary 50% reduction in outdoor watering.

After drought and water nitrate conditions in 2012, a new metro-wide water shortage plan was adopted in 2014. An updated regional Water Shortage Plan was adopted with the Central Iowa Water Works 28E agreement approved in 2023 and amended in 2026. West Des Moines Water Works' customers are always encourage to water wisely. For more information on watering your lawn wisely, please click here.

PLAN STAGE 0: WATER CONSERVATION
ANNUAL ENCOURAGEMENT OF WATER USAGE BEST PRACTICES

  1. Trigger. Annually in the month of February or March, as determined by CIWW, Stage 0 Water Conservation will be implemented.
  2. Goal. Implementing conservation practices allows agencies to proactively manage demand through consistent, early-season outreach that promotes responsible water use, including outdoor irrigation. Annual education on water use best practices helps reduce unnecessary consumption, extend the life of infrastructure, control costs for ratepayers, and ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply.
  3. Actions.
    1. No official notice is issued.
    2. CIWW will design educational material to encourage a system-wide reduction in lawn watering year-over-year.
    3. CIWW will collaborate with community leaders, media outlets, lawn and turf professionals, and other regional stakeholders to promote outdoor irrigation best practices.
    4. CIWW will coordinate with Member Agencies to ensure uniform messaging.
    5. CIWW and the Member Agencies will share messaging that irrigation should be delayed until turf requires watering. Typically, May for cool-season grasses and June for warm-season grasses.
    6. CIWW and the Member Agencies will begin messaging sprinkler tune-ups and proper programming in advance of backflow testing.
    7. CIWW and the Member Agencies will message that customers water on alternate days and excluding Mondays, historically a peak demand day, only if turf requires irrigation, by a system under which even-numbered addresses water only on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and odd-numbered addresses water only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
    8. CIWW and the Member Agencies will encourage customers to optimize their lawn watering systems so water is not directed onto impervious surfaces and lawns are not overwatered.
    9. CIWW and the Member Agencies will encourage the wise use of water during outdoor activities including washing cars, playing in the sprinkler, playing with water toys, and filling swimming pools.
    10. CIWW and the Member Agencies will encourage the wise use of water indoors including identifying and repairing leaking fixtures, washing only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, shorter showers, etc.
  4. Enforcement. There will be no enforcement at this stage.

PLAN STAGE I: VOLUNTARY 25% REDUCTION IN LAWN WATERING

  1. Trigger. A Stage I Water Watch may be initiated by the Board of Trustees during a period of substantial lawn watering demand when Expected Peak Demand reaches 90% of Current Capacity; system demand generates areas of low pressure; or there are other indications that without reductions in demand, a shortage could occur.
  2. Anticipated Impact. It is anticipated that Stage I will most likely be triggered during peak lawn watering season. In a typical year lawn watering can account for as much as 40% of demand on a peak day. If this is the case, a 25% reduction in lawn watering will result in a 10% reduction in total demand.
  3. Goal. A 10% reduction in CIWW system demands as compared to Expected Peak Demand.
  4. Actions.
    1. CIWW will issue a press release informing the public that the Board of Trustees has declared a Stage I Water Watch and will provide guidance on what to expect if a Stage II Water Alert is implemented.
    2. CIWW will coordinate with Member Agencies to ensure uniform messaging.
    3. CIWW and the Member Agencies will issue notifications requesting a system-wide 25% reduction in lawn watering.
    4. CIWW and the Member Agencies will issue announcements that reinforce the need to optimize lawn watering systems so water is not directed onto impervious surfaces and turf is not overwatered.
    5. CIWW and the Member Agencies will reinforce messaging that customers water on alternate days and excluding Mondays, historically a peak demand day, only if turf requires irrigation, by a system under which even-numbered addresses water only on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and odd-numbered addresses water only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
    6. Member Agencies will suspend all seasonal hydrant flushing programs. Flushing may occur for other water quality purposes that are not routine maintenance.
    7. Member Agencies will request that government officials minimize high water use activities such as street sweeping and irrigation of sports turf to a level that supports player safety and plant health.
  5. Enforcement. There will be no enforcement at this stage.

STAGE II: VOLUNTARY 50% REDUCTION IN LAWN WATERING

  1. Trigger. A Stage II Water Alert may be initiated by the Board of Trustees during a period of substantial lawn watering demand when Expected Peak Demand exceeds 90% of Current Capacity; system demand generates areas of low pressure; or there are other indications that without reductions in demand, a shortage could occur. Stage II may be initiated without first implementing Stage I if the Board of Trustees determines that Expected Peak Demand or the limited source water supply cannot be managed by the measures contemplated by Stage I.
  2. Anticipated Impact. It is anticipated that a Stage II Water Alert will most likely be triggered during the peak outdoor water use season. In a typical year, lawn watering can account for as much as 40% of demand on a peak day. If this is the case, a 50% reduction in lawn watering will result in 20% reduction in total demand.
  3. Goal. A 20% reduction in system demands as compared to Expected Peak Demand.
  4. Actions. Request customers further reduce water consumption by taking the following measures in addition to those to be implemented during the Stage I Water Watch:
    1. CIWW will issue a press release informing the public that the Board of Trustees has declared a Stage II Water Alert and will provide guidance on what to expect if a Stage III Water Warning is implemented.
    2. CIWW will update the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, community leaders, media outlets, lawn and turf professionals, and other regional stakeholders to promote outdoor irrigation best practices.
    3. CIWW will establish lines of communication with Emergency Management partners to distribute notices of voluntary 50% reduction system wide. The Executive Director, or assignee, will determine if activating the Joint Information Center (JIC) is appropriate.
    4. CIWW will provide clearly written, easy-to-understand educational materials to Member Agencies for distribution to governing bodies regarding the current situation.
    5. CIWW will consider hosting a virtual educational program for community stakeholders to update on the current situation, if appropriate and necessary.
    6. CIWW will coordinate with Member Agencies to ensure uniform messaging.
    7. CIWW and the Member Agencies will issue a notification requesting a system-wide 50% reduction in outdoor water use.
    8. CIWW and the Member Agencies will initiate a campaign to inform the public of water usage best practices highlighting outdoor water use with the goal of a system-wide 50% reduction in lawn watering.
    9. CIWW and the Member Agencies will issue announcements that reinforce the need to optimize lawn watering systems, so water is not directed onto impervious surfaces and turf is not overwatered.
    10. CIWW and the Member Agencies will reinforce messaging that customers water on alternate days and excluding Mondays, historically a peak demand day, only if turf requires irrigation, by a system under which even-numbered addresses water only on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and odd-numbered addresses water only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
    11. CIWW and the Member Agencies will issue announcements that reinforce wise use of water during outdoor activities including washing cars only as necessary when using a hand-held hose and discontinuing the practice of hosing down driveways or sidewalks.
    12. CIWW and the Member Agencies will encourage the wise use of water while playing in the sprinkler, playing with water toys, and filling swimming pools.
    13. CIWW and the Member Agencies will encourage wise use of water indoors including identifying and repairing leaking fixtures, washing only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, shorter showers, etc.
    14. Member Agencies will contact their top ten irrigation users to request a voluntary reduction in use.
    15. Member Agencies will provide city officials with an update on water supply conditions and issue requests for voluntary reductions in high water use activities. This includes minimizing activities such as street sweeping, voluntarily limiting operation of splash pads and other inefficient water fixtures, and reducing irrigation of sports turf, including golf courses, to the minimum necessary to maintain plant health and ensure safe playing conditions.
  5. Enforcement. There will be no enforcement at this stage.

STAGE III: WATER WARNING (MANDATORY) LAWN WATERING PROHIBITED

  1. Trigger. A Stage III Water Warning may be initiated by the Board of Trustees during a period of substantial lawn watering demand when Expected Peak Demand exceeds 90% of Current Capacity; system demand generates areas of low pressure; or there are other indications that without reductions in demand, a shortage could occur. Stage III may be initiated without first implementing Stage I or Stage II if the Board of Trustees determines that Expected Peak Demand or the limited source water supply cannot be managed by the measures contemplated by Stage I or Stage II.
  2. Anticipated Impact. It is anticipated that a Stage III Water Warning will most likely be triggered during peak lawn watering season. In a typical year, lawn watering can account for as much as 40% of demand on a peak day. If this is the case, the elimination of all lawn watering will result in 40% reduction in total demand.
  3. Goal. A 40% reduction in system demands as compared to Expected Peak Demand.
  4. Actions. Member Agencies are required to reduce water consumption by suspending all lawn watering by each Member Agency’s customers. This reduction is in addition to those steps to be implemented in Stage I Water Watch and Stage II Water Warning.
  5. Actions.
    1. CIWW will issue a press release informing the public that the Board of Trustees has declared a Stage III Water Warning (Mandatory) and will provide guidance on what to expect if a Stage IV Water Emergency is initiated.
    2. CIWW will update the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, community leaders, media outlets, lawn and turf professionals, and other regional stakeholders of Stage III Water Warning (Mandatory).
    3. CIWW will establish lines of communication with Emergency Management partners to distribute CIWW-provided notices of Stage III Water Warning (Mandatory). CIWW will determine if activating the Joint Information Center (JIC) is appropriate.
    4. CIWW will provide and manage a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the implementation of Stage III Water Warning (Mandatory), including contact information for relevant agencies such as the County Health Departments.
    5. CIWW will host a virtual educational program for community stakeholders to update on the current water supply status, if appropriate and necessary.
    6. CIWW will coordinate with Member Agencies to ensure uniform messaging.
    7. CIWW and the Member Agencies will issue a notification that Stage III Water Warning (Mandatory) is in place.
    8. CIWW and the Member Agencies will provide city officials with an update on water supply conditions and reinforce requests for voluntary reductions in high water use activities. This includes minimizing activities such as street sweeping, voluntarily limiting operation by adjusting operating hours of splash pads and other inefficient water fixtures, and reducing irrigation of sports turf, including golf courses, to the minimum necessary to maintain plant health and ensure safe playing conditions.
    9. CIWW and the Member Agencies will reinforce the wise use of water indoors including identifying and repairing leaking fixtures, washing only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, shorter showers, etc.
    10. CIWW and the Member Agencies will provide information on the wise use of water outdoors when watering vegetable gardens and trees.
    11. CIWW and the Member Agencies will provide clearly written, easy-to-understand educational materials to Member Agencies for distribution to governing bodies regarding the current water supply status.
    12. Member Agencies will prioritize direct contact with their top ten irrigation users to demand immediate suspension and notify all others by the most practical means available.

    Sod and seed installation may continue during a Stage III Water Warning. Irrigation is permitted for sod, newly seeded lawns, and erosion control vegetation (stabilization plantings) installed during the current calendar year. During the establishment period, watering for such lawns must be limited to the minimal amount necessary as prescribed by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office to ensure proper root development and must be limited to before 6 am and after 10 pm to reduce evaporation and preserve the water supply. Overseeding is not considered a newly seeded lawn for the purpose of a Stage III Water Warning.

    Sports turf and fields, including golf courses, may continue irrigation in this stage provided such irrigation is limited to the minimum necessary to maintain plant health and ensure safe playing conditions.

    If 40% of system demand is not achieved and a continued risk to compliance with safe drinking water standards or the water supply is identified, the Technical Committee shall reevaluate sod and seed installation and irrigation activities and submit a formal recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion, continue, modify, or suspend such activities as appropriate.

  6. Enforcement. Customers observed by CIWW or Member Agencies watering their lawn in violation of the Plan will be notified by the Member Agency serving the customer by posting a notice in an obvious location at the customer’s property, or, at the discretion of the Member Agency, mailing, calling or emailing the notice using contact information provided by the customer. If lawn watering is observed again within 48 hours after the customer has been provided with a notice, water service will be terminated by the Member Agency, and any published fees will apply. Water service will only be restored to the customer upon receipt of a signed, written acknowledgement by the customer that the customer understands, and will comply with the mandatory conservation measures, and that subsequent violations will result in termination of service. Any subsequent violation will result in further termination of service without further notice to customer until the Stage III Water Warning (Mandatory) conditions have abated. In addition, the use of water for lawn watering in violation of the Plan shall be deemed an unauthorized use of water and any charges for the unauthorized use of water/metering tampering shall apply and must be paid before water service will be restored.

    Upon the Board of Trustee’s initiation of Stage III, CIWW will provide notice to each Member Agency’s designated contact that Stage III has been initiated. Within 48 hours of notification, each Member Agency shall certify to CIWW, in writing by email or other agreed upon means, that it has taken the actions set forth in Section 4 of the Stage III requirements. A Member Agency’s failure to provide such a certification, or if, in the determination of the Board of Trustees, a Member Agency fails to undertake the actions set forth in Section 4 of the Stage III requirements, the Board of Trustees will have the authority to increase the fees charged to the Member Agency or decrease water access to the Member Agency until, in the Board of Trustees’ determination, the Member Agency has complied with Section 4.

STAGE IV: WATER RATIONING

  1. Trigger. A Stage IV Water Emergency may be initiated by the Board of Trustees during periods of substantial lawn watering demand, or other potential shortage after a Stage I Water Watch, Stage II Water Alert, and Stage III Water Warning (Mandatory) have been implemented and failed to achieve an adequate reduction in consumption; when Expected Peak Demand exceeds 90% of Current Capacity; when system demand is generating a high number of areas with low pressure; when source water supply is limited; or when other indicator suggest that without prudent water use, a shortage could occur. Stage IV may be initiated without first implementing Stages I through III if the Board of Trustees determines that Expected Peak Demand or the limited source water supply cannot be addressed by the measures contemplated by Stages I through III.

  2. Anticipated Impact. A Stage IV Water Emergency will be triggered in the event of a significant and severe water shortage or other event that severely reduces capacity relative to demand. In this case, a reduction in demand to the lowest level which will meet public health and safety standards and, when reasonably possible, animal health and safety standards for livestock producers will be sought.

    The definition of a “livestock producer” is the same as stated in 7 U.S.C. § 1471(1) (A) to be “(A) a person that is actively engaged in farming and that receives a substantial amount of total income from the production of grain or livestock, as determined by the Secretary, that is:

    1. an established producer or husbander of livestock or a dairy producer who is a citizen of, or legal resident alien in, the United States; or
    2. a farm cooperative, private domestic corporation, partnership, or joint operation in which a majority interest is held by members, stockholders, or partners who are citizens of, or legal resident aliens.”
  3. Goal. A reduction in system demands as compared to Expected Peak Demand sufficient to allow CIWW to meet public health and safety standards, and when reasonably possible, animal health and safety standards.

  4. Actions. Water rationing measures will be required to be implemented by all Member Agencies and enforced by application of an “Emergency Water Shortage Rate” as described below. In order to implement such a demand, the Technical Committee, in consultation with Member Agencies, shall set a target level for demand for each Member Agency consistent with the Current Capacity to establish the “Stage IV Rationed Demand.” The Stage IV Rationed Demand may be adjusted by the Technical Committee as conditions change. All Member Agencies will be responsible for asking their customers to reduce their consumption to a level to meet the “Stage IV Rationed Demand.” Member Agencies will be expected to initiate efforts to reduce consumption above such level and will be charged at the Emergency Water Shortage Rate."

    1. Water rationing shall consider livestock health and safety needs. The expected decrease for Member Agencies supplying such needs shall be set by the Technical Committee taking into consideration livestock health and safety needs.
    2. At Stage IV, Member Agencies with alternative available sources of water meeting applicable drinking water standards shall supplement and/or replace CIWW water from those sources.

  5. Enforcement. Each Member Agency will be responsible for implementing measures to ensure that the Rationed Demand is not exceeded. Should the Stage IV Rationed Demand be exceeded, the Member Agency will be subject to the Emergency Water Shortage Rate which will be equal to 10 times the established variable rate for any amount in excess of the Rationed Demand, or a lower rate as determined by the Board of Trustees.

    Upon the Board of Trustee’s initiation of Stage IV, CIWW will provide notice to each Member Agency’s designated contact that Stage IV has been initiated. Within 48 hours of notification, each Member Agency shall certify to CIWW, in writing by email or other agreed upon means, that it has taken the actions set forth in Section 4 of the Stage IV requirements. A Member Agency’s failure to provide such a certification, or if, in the determination of the Board of Trustees, a Member Agency fails to undertake the actions set forth in Section 4 of the Stage IV requirements, the Board of Trustees will have the authority to increase the fees charged to the Member Agency or decrease water access to the Member Agency until, in the Board of Trustee’s determination, the Member Agency has complied with Section 4.

Call customer service at 515.222.3460 with any questions.

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