Water Works Board Lowers Conservation Restrictions; Voluntary Monitoring Necessary

On May 15, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
divers enter west lake to evaluate intake for osceola water works

The Osceola Water Works Board met for their regular monthly meeting and determined that the West Lakes water level which is now at 1069.83, where 1,072 MSL (Mean Sea Level) is considered “Full Pool,” the Board decided to exit Section 2 and enter Section 1.  Conservation Ordinance Section 1 asks the community to voluntarily monitor and conserve water as much as possible. “We want to make sure everyone is aware we’re still asking our customers to watch their water usage and to reduce waste, but some of the restrictions have been lightened until further notice,” said Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water

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Updated Strategies to Increase Osceola Water Quality and Savings

On April 25, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
water quality in osceola iowa

Over the weeks of April 3rd and April 10th, the Osceola Water Works team, with the help of Carbon Central, LLC. of Excelsior Springs, MO, started the updating of the filtering materials at the Osceola water plant. This update is included in a two-part strategy intended to reduce costs associated with maintaining Osceola’s water quality and safety, which have almost doubled over the past few years. When asked about the filtering process, Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water Works Superintendent explained that due to sharp increases in pricing as well as regional water shortages, finding strategies to maintain Osceola’s water quality and

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Spring has Sprung, but Water Works Warns of Usage Restrictions

On April 11, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
west lake water supply for osceola iowa

We love to see the grass greener and the flowers blooming. The signs of Spring have definitely started, but even with the recent storms, the water levels in West Lake are still below levels to properly meet demand for the community. Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water Works Water Superintendent recently sent an update to Osceola’s City Administrator warning of the condition of water at West Lake. “We’re currently asking Osceola water users to operate under Water Conservation Plan: Section 2,” said Patterson. “Once we have confirmation updates to the intake can be made, or until we receive some substantial Spring rain,

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UPDATE: Understanding Your Osceola Utility Bill

On March 13, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
osceola iowa utility bill sample

With the recent updates to the paper billing (sample shown to the right) and at the request of our customers, the team at Osceola Water Works wanted to further define and clarify the sections of the customers’ utility bill sent out each month. Osceola Water Works has an agreement with the City of Osceola to bill for city sewer (SW), the city sewer surcharge (SS) as well as city garbage services (GB) to conveniently keep all local utility services on one, convenient monthly statement.  With the new formatted billing, customers can easily see the itemization of each utility service on

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Osceola Water Works Researching Plans for Improved Water Quality

On October 20, 2020   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
water color in osceola iowa

It seems to be an annual occurrence. As soon as the heat of late summer hits, surface water sources around the midwest become victims of algae blooms, causing treatment challenges for municipalities and water departments and giving citizens concern for their water quality. In Osceola’s West Lake, the algae blooms have been increasingly difficult in the past few years. That, along with ageing filtration system challenges, has the Osceola Water Works team working hard to keep treatments ahead of the issue. Finally, after some engineering research and guidance from the DNR, they believe the issue can be addressed with some

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NOTICE: DISCOLORED WATER CONCERNS

On August 10, 2020   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
osceola water works

NOTICE:  DISCOLORED WATER   We are currently experiencing a larger than normal algae growth in West Lake.  Samples collected have detected elevated levels of algae.  We are working directly with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and made the decision to switch pulling water from the top intake of the lake to the lower intake. Changing intake levels has decreased the amount of algae, but we are seeing elevated levels of manganese.  Manganese is a common, naturally-occuring mineral found in rocks, soil, ground water and surface water. Manganese may become noticeable in water and can have a yellow/brown color and

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Payment Convenience Fee to Take Effect December 27th

On December 18, 2019   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
osceola water works billing payment

In an effort to continue providing bill paying services through online card processing, as well as to offset service fees of over $7,500 annually to the utility customers, Osceola Water Works will be instating a convenience fee of 2.65% for each customer making their water utility payment with a debit or credit card. This fee will be applied to the billing program at the end of the day on December 27, 2019. Access to a new payment portal through the OsceolaWaterWorks.com web site will reflect the changes on the same date. Since its inception, fees for card processing were absorbed

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Familiar Drought Conditions Emphasize Need for New Reservoir

On August 23, 2017   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
drought conditions in southern iowa

With a dry Spring and little to no measurable rain in June and July, Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water Works Superintendent is looking at West Lake water levels with an impatient eye. While recent rains have helped green up a few lawns, water main breaks from the dry, cracking ground continue, not to mention the damage already done to crops and grazing land around Osceola and Clarke County has made an impact. We’ve seen dry seasons like this in the past, and like in 2012, the last serious drought Clarke County had in recent years, this looks like the start of

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NOTICE: WATER RATE INCREASE

On February 6, 2017   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
osceola water works activities water board

NOTICE:  WATER RATE INCREASE At the February 2, 2017 Water Board Meeting, the board held a public hearing regarding a possible water rate increase.  The Water Board of Trustees approved a 5% water rate increase effective March 1, 2017. Effective March 1, 2017, the rates will be as follows. Residential                              Comm./Ind. Tier 1, First 50,000 gallons                                             $6.37                                        $6.68 Tier 2, Next 950,000 gallons                                          $4.54                                         $4.54 Tier 3, Next 2,000,000 gallons                                                                                          $4.19 Tier 4, Over 3,000,000 gallons                                                                                          $3.77 All accounts are billed for a minimum of 2,000 gallons of water. Bulk Water Rate is $8.25/thousand. If you have questions, please

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NOTICE: WATER OUTAGE

On January 13, 2017   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
osceola water works activities water board

NOTICE:  WATER OUTAGE   January 13, 2017 Osceola Water Works is repairing a water main break in 1300 block of South Ridge Road.  Water service may be disconnected while these repairs are made.  Our goal is to have the repairs completed and have your water service reactivated as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation while we make upgrades to your water system. If you have questions, please contact the Osceola Water Works offices at: 641-342-1435 Thank you, Your Osceola Water Works Team If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at the office by calling – 641-342-1435. You

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