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News & Updates from
DeS MOINeS WATeR WORkS
MARCH 2015
Maffitt Reservoir Boat Permits
L
ast year, over 200 canoe, kayak and paddleboard enthusiasts enjoyed the beautiful water
and views at Maffitt Reservoir and Park.
Interested users must purchase an annual permit to
launch their watercraft at Maffitt Reservoir. The annual
boat permit can be purchased for $20.00 at Des
Moines Water Works’ General Office, located at 2201
George Flagg Parkway, in Des Moines. No motors or
sails of any kind are allowed, which helps ensure the
lake remains a high quality water source for the area’s
drinking water supply.
Dale Maffitt Reservoir is a 200-acre lake that sits
amongst the tall oaks overlooking Des Moines Water
Works’ L.D. McMullen Water Treatment Plant. The
lake, primarily located in Polk County, also has
corners that reach into Warren, Dallas and Madison
Counties. The reservoir was constructed in the early 1940s, as a backup water source and named in honor of then General
Manager of Des Moines Water Works,Dale Maffitt. In 2000, Des Moines Water Works began operating the L.D. McMullen Water
Treatment Plant at Maffitt Reservoir in an effort to produce enough water for Des Moines and surrounding areas’ growing
population. For decades, nature lovers and anglers have enjoyed the serenity of the lake, as ducks, geese, river otter and a
multitude of fish species call it home.
Park hours are 7:00 am-8:00 pm (Standard Time) and 6:00 am-9:00 pm (Daylight Savings Time). Take Army Post Road
west, across Interstate 35 and follow the signs.
For more information on the use of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards on Maffitt Reservoir, please contact Des Moines Water
Works at (515) 283-8700 or visit www.dmww.com/parks-events/maffitt-reservoir.
Make the Call Before You Dig!
o you have projects this spring or summer requiring digging in your yard? Before you dig, be sure to include
the most important step in your project plans: IOWA ONE CALL. Iowa One Call services are FRee and
telephones are answered 24 hours a day. Utilities, including Des Moines Water Works, have 48 hours after you
request to locate any underground facilities they have in the area and mark their location with flags or painted
lines. After the excavation area is marked, you will be able to avoid any underground services, preventing a
loss of vital services and added expenses for repairs.
Call 1-800-292-8989 before you dig. It’s fast, it’s free, it’s the law! You can also access important
information at www.iowaonecall.com.
D
2201 George Flagg Parkway | Des Moines, IA 50321 | (515) 283-8700 | www.dmww.com |
| dsmh2o.com
March2015:MarchApril2015 2/17/2015 12:38 PM Page 2
Water Quality at Home: Water 101: Test Your
Cloudy Water
H2O Knowledge
hroughout the year, Des Moines Water Works receives
calls from customers who say their tap water appears
milky white or cloudy. In the majority of cases, the cloudy
water is caused by harmless air bubbles, but sometimes it can
indicate a plumbing issue. Fortunately, determining the cause
is as simple as filling up a clear glass with water and setting it
on the counter.
· If the water clears from the bottom of the glass to the
top, the water has air bubbles. This reaction sometimes
occurs when cold water from underground mains enters
warmer pipes inside your home. Since cold water holds
more dissolved air than warm water, as water warms, air
may be released as tiny bubbles when a tap is turned on.
The water is safe to drink, the discoloring is just the
result of a harmless reaction.
· If the water in the glass clears from the top-down, and
white or grey particles settle to the bottom, this may
indicate a water plumbing issue. Call Des Moines Water
Works at (515) 283-8700 and staff will assist in
diagnosing the problem and provide a list of qualified
plumbers.
For more information on water quality, visit
www.dmww.com/water-quality.
T
Public Art Unveiling
at Water Works Park
he public is invited to Water Works Park on Saturday, May
30, for a riverside unveiling of a new, temporary public art
installation that calls attention to the joy of reconnecting to
our waterways.
The art installation, by New York-based artist Mary Mattingly,
will invite residents to rediscover Des Moines’ river-town roots
and re-imagine what is possible for the region’s creeks and
rivers. Notably, the event will launch two major regional efforts
celebrating our rivers:
· The launch of a regional water trails plan aimed at
developing a roadmap for enhancing citizen
experiences in and along the urban waterways. More
information at: www.dmampo.org.
· The launch of Phase 1 implementation of the Water Works
Park Master Plan. More information at:
www.waterworkscircuit.com.
The public art work and the event is funded by the Des
Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Greater
Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Des Moines Water Works
Park Foundation, and the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
For event updates, visit facebook.com/ChangesInTheWorks.
1. What percent of the earth’s surface is water?
a. about 50%
b. about 75%
c. about 97%
2. Of all the water on earth, how much is available to use
for drinking water?
a. 25%
b. 3%
c. 1%
3. About how much does one gallon of water weigh?
a. 4 lbs.
b. 8 lbs.
c. 10 lbs.
4. What is the longest a human could live without water?
a. one day
b. one week
c. one month
5. What percent of water in homes is used for drinking
purposes?
a. 2%
b. 10%
c. 20%
6. How much water does it take to make a can of pop?
a. 1 gallon
b. 5 gallons
c. 10 gallons
T
Answers: b, c, b, b, a, c
E-statement Rebate
nroll in e-statements and receive a $5.00 rebate on your
next water bill. To sign up, visit www.dmww.com to set
up an online account. Once logged into your account,
simply select Go Paperless from the top green navigation bar.
There are many advantages to choosing e-statements. They
are convenient, environmentally friendly, help prevent identity
theft and they help reduce costs, which in turn, helps keep
water rates low.
For more information on e-statements, visit
www.dmww.com or contact a Customer Service
Representative at (515) 283-8700.
E
Printed on recycled paper