Save Water, Secure Our Future

Update July 27, 2026

The Technical Committee of Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) voted unanimously on Monday, July 27, to end all voluntary and mandatory watering restrictions and move to Stage 0 of the Water Use Plan. Please continue to use water wisely.

Where can I obtain Nitrate Monitoring Information?

You can obtain the flow and real-time nitrate monitoring data on the USGS website. Find the Continuous Data box, click Graph It for Nitrate. Make sure Nitrate plus nitrite, water, in situ, milligrams per liter as nitrogen is selected. Scroll to the top to view the graph. 

How can I find resources?

Learn more about the water use stages by visiting the Central Iowa Water Works website.

Lawn watering schedule to help protect water quality

CIWW encourages customers to follow the regional even/odd watering schedule:

• Even-numbered addresses (122 Main St.): Sunday, Wednesday or Friday
• Odd-numbered addresses (123 Main St.): Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday
• Most lawns do not require watering on all three days and may remain healthy with substantially less irrigation.
• Customers are strongly encouraged to avoid watering on Mondays because of high regional demand.

Why do smart water practices matter to our community?

Ensuring that West Des Moines has a sufficient water supply in our towers is crucial for addressing emergencies such as major fires and guaranteeing that everyone has reliable access to clean drinking water. When water consumption exceeds availability, especially during droughts or when there are quality concerns with our water sources, Central Iowa Water Works implements the advanced stages of its Water Use Strategy. This strategy includes a series of measures designed to decrease water consumption and alleviate pressure on the water system. 

It's essential for the community to come together to safeguard our water resources. By adopting mindful water-use habits, residents and local businesses in West Des Moines can help ensure a steady supply throughout the summer.