Residential, commercial, and governmental customers may resume lawn watering at a 50% reduction beginning on July 20, 2026.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (July 20, 2026) – Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) announced today that it is transitioning all customer classifications from Stage III Water Warning (Lawn Watering Ban) toStage II Water Alert (50% Voluntary Lawn Watering Reduction) under the Water Shortage Plan.
Effective July 20, 2026, residential, commercial, and governmental customers may resume outdoor irrigation while reducing lawn watering by approximately 50% and following the regional even/odd lawn watering schedule.
The most important message for residents is that Stage II does not mean only following an even/odd lawn watering schedule, it means reducing water use by 50%. Following an even/odd water schedule and watering one less day on top of that schedule is essential to help managing regional water demand.
“We appreciate the community’s commitment to conserving water and using it wisely,” said Tami Madsen, Executive Director of Central Iowa Water Works. “Improving water supply and treatment conditions allow us to ease restrictions, but reducing lawn watering by 50% remains essential to protecting our water supply, managing peak summer demand, and ensuring a reliable source of drinking water for the region.”
Even/Odd Lawn Watering Schedule
- Addresses ending in an even number: Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Addresses ending in an odd number: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- No lawn watering on Mondays
Customers are asked to reduce outdoor irrigation by approximately 50%. There are several ways to achieve this goal, including:
- Water only half as often. If your irrigation system normally runs on all three designated watering days, skip one or two watering days each week.
- Water only the front yard or the back yard. Watering only half of the lot will reduce water usage by 50%.
- Water only the areas that need it most. Prioritize stressed areas rather than irrigating the entire landscape. Water sunny areas and reserve shaded for when they really need it.
- Use smart irrigation technology or rain sensors to avoid watering when rainfall has provided sufficient moisture.
- Adjust irrigation schedules based on weather conditions rather than maintaining a fixed schedule.
- Contact the Iowa State University Extension Office or your lawn care professional to learn how to make keep your yard healthy with less water.
Additional information about the Regional Water Shortage Plan and current water use guidance is available at www.ciww.gov.
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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.