Celebrating Osceola’s Water and Wastewater Workers

On August 26, 2026 / General Water Works News

When you pour a glass of water, wash the dishes, or flush the toilet, you probably don’t stop to think about everything that makes those everyday conveniences possible. During Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week, August 23–29, 2026, Osceola Water Works is proud to recognize the hardworking team of professionals who keep our water systems safe and reliable. Behind the scenes, Osceola’s water and wastewater professionals work to make daily modern life possible. They help protect the health of our community by making sure drinking water is safe and wastewater is properly treated. This treatment also helps protect Iowa’s

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Celebrating Excellence: Osceola Water Treatment Plant Foreman Earns Iowa’s Highest Water Treatment License

On July 28, 2026 / General Water Works News

At Osceola Water Works, providing safe, reliable drinking water is our highest priority. That commitment is made possible by the dedicated professionals who work hard every day to serve our community. We are proud to recognize Osceola Water Treatment Plant Foreman Cory Gallup for obtaining the Grade IV Iowa DNR Water Treatment Operator license, the highest level of water treatment certification offered by the State of Iowa. Achieving a Grade IV certification represents years of hands-on experience, education, and dedication to the water industry. Candidates must complete extensive training and pass a rigorous state examination covering advanced water treatment processes, state

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Water Meter Update Catches Unusual Water Usage

On June 9, 2026 / General Water Works News

Recently, an unusual spike in usage alerted Osceola Water Works crew that there was a potential problem. With a quick phone call, they were able to alert the customer, who found and stopped the leak before too much damage could be done. Previously, that same situation may not have been found until the next time meters were read. In the Fall of 2024, Osceola Water Works began a project of replacing water meters with new Sensus Smartpoints and Meters using the FlexNet System. The top priority is to focus on the most aged infrastructure, with the goal of having all

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Nitrates: What It Means for Osceola’s Drinking Water

On March 10, 2026 / General Water Works News

Your Osceola Water Works (OWW) team works hard to ensure the water you use every day is clean and safe. Water treatment processes play a key role in making sure the water from our taps is safe, for drinking, cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene as well as supporting healthy communities and preventing the spread of illness. High levels of nitrates in drinking water can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and infants under six months. During our most recent testing period, January 7, 2026, nitrate levels from West Lake measured 0.35 mg/L. For comparison, the U.S. Environmental Protection

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What Current Weather Patterns Mean for West Lake and Our Water Supply

On February 24, 2026 / General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates

At the February meeting of the Osceola Water Works Board of Trustees, the Board discussed uncertain weather patterns along with the Seasonal Precipitation and Seasonal Temperature Outlooks. That uncertainty is exactly why preparation is so important and how, by staying mindful of water usage now, Osceola can reduce the risk of future shortages. At first glance, the approximately one inch of rain received in January 2026 may seem encouraging, as it is technically above normal. While the total amount looks positive on paper, all that rain fell in one day and did very little to relieve our abnormally dry conditions

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Osceola Water Works Addresses Water Quality and Lake Turnover

On January 14, 2026 / General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates

Osceola Water Works has confirmed that West Lake, the source of Osceola’s drinking water, recently experienced a natural process known as lake turnover. This seasonal event can temporarily affect the taste and odor of drinking water, even though the water remains safe to consume. Lake turnover is the process of a lake’s water mixing from top to bottom. It happens naturally, most often in the fall and spring, when air temperatures fluctuate. During summer, lake water forms a top layer that is warm and heated by the sun and a bottom layer that is colder, darker, and denser. As temperatures

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Osceola Water Works Makes Annual Transition to Free Chlorine

On September 30, 2025 / General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates

During the month of October, Osceola Water Works will make a temporary change in disinfectant to Free Chlorine that will take place starting October 2, 2025 and continue through November 5, 2025. This practice is endorsed by health authorities like the EPA and is not considered a public health risk. Converting to Free Chlorine is a preventative, periodic maintenance practiced by many water utilities to ensure continued quality and integrity of the public water system. While Chloramines are effective, it is necessary to convert to Free Chlorine, which is a stronger disinfectant used to proactively kill bacteria that can become

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First Phase of Water Main Replacement Project Nears Completion

On September 11, 2025 / General Water Works News

If you’ve driven down West Garfield or North Fillmore lately, you may have noticed Osceola Water Works making some big changes underground. The project, which began earlier this summer, focused on replacing the old cast iron water mains in the 200 block of West Garfield and the 600 block of North Fillmore with brand-new PVC pipe. This upgrade is a big step forward in improving the service reliability of Osceola’s water system. Looking at the project numbers, crews installed roughly 768 feet of new 6-inch water main, added two fire hydrants, six gate valves, and replaced ten service connections going

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Osceola Water Works Response to Regional Water Restrictions

On June 18, 2025 / General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates

Recent headlines regarding water use restrictions across Central lowa may remind us of the Water Conservation restrictions that were in place in our community just a short time ago, due to drought and the quantity of water that was in West Lake, Osceola’s only source of water. The restrictions issued by Central lowa Water Works (CIWW) are due to elevated nitrate levels in their primary water sources which are the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. The issue is not a lack of available water, but rather limitations on how much water can be treated to meet federal safety standards. These

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Water: The Clear Drink of Choice

On May 20, 2025 / General Water Works News

In a world filled with tempting drink options that range from frothy coffees to fizzy sodas, it can be easy to overlook the cheapest and healthiest beverage: water. Yet, when comparing health benefits and cost against other popular drink choices, water consistently rises to the top as the smartest alternative for your body and your budget. Drinking water regularly plays an important part in keeping you healthy. It helps keep up your energy during exercise and day-to-day tasks, fights off fatigue and muscle cramps, and aids in digestion and detoxification. Hydration is also crucial for brain function, improving concentration, alertness,

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