News  &  Updates  from

DES MoINES WATER WoRkS

JULY 2012

2201 George Flagg Parkway | Des Moines, IA 50321 | (515) 283-8700 | www.dmww.com | | dsmh2o.com

Warm, dry weather has some of us concerned for our lawns,

plants and gardens. A commonly asked question of Des

Moines Water Works Customer Service Representatives is in

regards to lawn sprinkler and irrigation systems. Before you install a

built-in irrigation system or do any watering in your yard, you should

keep the following information in mind.

Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) and your community’s permits

department have a specific process for obtaining an irrigation

meter. The installation cost of an irrigation meter can cost $300-

$500 or more, as a licensed plumber must connect lawn irrigation

piping and house hose bibs to this special meter. In Des Moines,

DMWW uses the monthly readings from the irrigation meter to sub-

tract the usage from the sewer service portion of your monthly state-

ment.

Built-in lawn irrigation systems require the installation of a backflow device. All area irrigation system installers are

aware of this requirement. These backflow devices must be tested annually by a certified tester. This is a requirement

of the State Public Health Department and city ordinances. There are many certified testers in the Des Moines metro

area. Look in your phone book under the categories of backflow prevention devices, plumbing contractors or garden

and lawn, for a listing of companies that install irrigation systems. Many specifically

state they have certified backflow testers. Another helpful resource is located at:

www.dmww.com/water-service/plumbers-contractors/backflow-prevention. Here, you

will find a listing of certified backflow testers in the state.

If you are interested in obtaining an irrigation meter, you must first obtain a permit

for the irrigation meter and any required backflow prevention devices (see box at left).

A licensed plumber must install a meter compatible with DMWW equipment.

Irrigation systems do a great job of keeping your lawn and garden green and

beautiful. These systems do require regular maintenance and adjustment to insure the

right amount of water is used when it is needed.

Timing your lawn watering will also help you use water wisely. Des Moines Water

Works, in cooperation with other Des Moines metro area water utilities, has developed

the "Using Water Wisely" program. This is an educational, voluntary customer program

aimed at reducing water use during hot, dry summer days. Customers can do this by

eliminating lawn watering during the hottest part of the day (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). This

watering approach reduces the peak load on our water facilities which extends their

capacity and useful life.

Also, if you are considering sodding this year, the latter half of August and

September is the best time to do so. Avoiding the hot days of July and early August will

save you watering costs. Let’s all use our precious water wisely!

Des Moines Residents

City of Des Moines Permit

and Development Center

(515) 283-4200

Pleasant Hill Residents

Community Development

Building Division

(515) 309-9461

Unincorporated Polk County

Residents

Polk County Engineers

(515) 286-3705

Windsor Heights Residents

City of Windsor Heights Permit

and Development Center

(515) 279-3662

Runnells, Alleman and

Cumming Residents

No permit required. Deduct

setting must be used. Call

(515) 283-8700 to install meter

reading device

FAQ: Irrigation Meters

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A Growing Botanical Center

The Des Moines Botanical Center will grow next year to feature

new outdoor gardens, tree-lined walkways, a water garden,

and a botany lab. The renovation also involves a new name.

Effective January 1, 2013, the Greater Des Moines Botanical

Garden, a nonprofit foundation, will assume the center’s lease

with the City of Des Moines and oversee the expected $11.6 mil-

lion in renovations. Also included in the makeover are a new

cafe, an event lawn, updated meeting and event rooms and an

expanded parking lot. Phase one construction is expected to

begin early 2013.

Des Moines Water Works has operated the Botanical Center

since January 2004, and will continue to support the new

Botanical Garden with annual in-kind contributions.

Printed on recycled paper

Customer Advisory Council

Des Moines Water Works strives to deliver programs and options that are valued by our customers. We would like to

invite customers to participate in a Customer Advisory Council. The time commitment is approximately one hour,

four times a year. If interested, please contact Amy kahler, Director of Customer Service and Marketing, at

kahler@dmww.com or 283-8760. Take this opportunity to help shape important programs for Des Moines Water Works’

customers!

Be on the look out for mobile water filling

stations, operated by Des Moines Water Works

at upcoming community events. Enjoy quali-

ty Des Moines water on the go. Each DSM H2Go

station features six water spigots to fill your reusable

water bottle, one drinking fountain and a doggy

bowl for your thirsty pets!

Des Moines Water Works tap water doesn’t just

taste great:

It’s clean: Des Moines Water Works ranked

number one on Forbes.com list of U.S. cities with

the cleanest drinking water.

It’s healthy: Water contains zero calories, zero

sugar and zero fat. A typical 12-ounce can of

soda contains about 150 calories and the equiva-

lent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. Sports drinks, which

are marketed as healthy alternatives, have as

many calories as sugary beverages and usually

contain high levels of sodium.

It’s affordable: Des Moines Water Works tap water is a great deal. At approximately one penny per gallon, it is

about 1,000 times less expensive than bottled water.

It’s green: Plastic water bottles produced for the U.S. use 1.5 million barrels of oil a year – enough to power 250,000

homes or 1000,000 cars all year. And it takes more than 3 liters of water to produce each liter of water.

It’s convenient: Quality water is available right from sthe tap. DSM H2Go mobile water stations will be available at

upcoming community events, making staying hydrated easy and affordable.

DSM H2GO Mobile Water Station

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