West Des Moines, Iowa (May 27, 2026) – Today, Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) has issued a Stage II “Water Alert,” which asks residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce outdoor water use by 50 percent. This alert is effective immediately.
Issuing Stage II is in response to increased water demand, persistently high nitrate concentrations in source waters, and ongoing operational strain on the regional water treatment system. The region’s cooperation in reducing outdoor watering will help preserve the regional water supply during the management of this challenge.
“Central Iowa continues to face significant water quality and operational challenges,” said Tami Madsen, Executive Director of CIWW. “Additional conservation efforts are necessary to help reduce stress on the system and support reliable drinking water service for the region.”
CIWW and its member agencies continue to meet all federal and state safe drinking water standards, and all seven regional water treatment plants remain in operation.
What You Can Do to Conserve Water or How Customers Can Help
Customers are encouraged to:
Customers are encouraged to:
- Reduce lawn watering by half and only water when needed
- Limit lawn watering to one or two days per week.
- Water during early morning hours to reduce evaporation
- Shorten sprinkler run times by half and avoid watering shaded areas
- Use a shutoff nozzle when washing vehicles
- Don’t hose off driveways or walkways
- Inspect irrigation systems for leaks or broken sprinkler heads
- Check sprinkler heads for overspray – avoid shooting water onto sidewalks or driveways
CIWW also 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.
Customers can learn more about the Water Use Plan and water conservation measures by visiting CIWW.gov and following CIWW on Facebook or LinkedIn.
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About Central Iowa Water Works
Founded in 2024 by 12 entities representing utilities, communities and rural providers, Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) is the regional authority responsible for drinking water treatment, water system planning and the wholesale delivery of water across urban, suburban and rural Central Iowa. Together, CIWW members serve more than 600,000 Iowans and distribute nearly 20 billion gallons of water each year.
The founding members of CIWW are the cities of Ankeny, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk City, and Waukee, Des Moines Water Works, Urbandale Water Utility, West Des Moines Water Works, Warren and Xenia water districts. These local water utilities, rural providers or city water departments remain the contact for new accounts, bill-paying, water distribution and customer service.