NOTICE: Osceola Water Works Makes Switch from Chloramines to Free Chlorine

On October 7, 2024   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
annual change to free chlorine

Starting on Monday, October 7, 2024 and continuing thru November 7, 2024, Osceola Water Works will make a temporary change in the disinfectant used in water treatment. Osceola’s annual switch from chloramines to free chlorine is a common practice in water treatment and OWW goes through the process every fall. Free chlorine is a stronger disinfectant than chloramine, but it cannot be used year-round because it creates byproducts that are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The use of ammonia with chlorine – chloramines – reduces or eliminates these byproducts and helps Osceola Water Works continue to provide clean and safe

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A Positive Conservation Outlook, as Data Shows Lake Levels Holding Steady

On February 6, 2024   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
osceola iowa west lake levels

Osceola Water Works and City Officials are sharing a positive outlook at trending lake levels in Osceola’s West Lake. With seasonal usage down and steady conservation commitment from the community and local businesses, engineering data, physical water level measurements in West Lake and more show levels stabilizing.

Click through to the latest to read more…

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Important Update RE: Lower Intake Project at West Lake: 11/19/23

On November 21, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  

On 11/18/2023 and 11/19/2023 divers were onsite at West Lake.  By the end of the day on the 19th, the reconfigured intake extension was successfully installed and water works crews tested pulling water from that lower intake. Due to low lake levels, Water Works staff will begin transitioning over to pulling water from the lower intake in the next few weeks.  Osceola Water Works will continue to provide updates before this change occurs. With the extra capacity added from raising the intake, the seasonal decrease in usage as well as the success with conservation measures, Osceola Water Works estimates the

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Important Update Regarding Lower Intake Project at West Lake: 11/15/23

On November 15, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
water intake updated for osceola's west lake

Below is a schedule of activities pertaining to raising the lower intake: Nov 4 – 5 Dive team was onsite to install components to raise the lower intake 4 feet.  A large rock located in the intake area created challenges for the divers to effectively raise the intake.  It was determined that a portion of the rock would need to be removed. Nov 11 Dive team was onsite to cut a decent sized chunk of the rock out of the way.  They now feel they have enough clearance to raise the intake. Nov 18 – 19 Four dive team members

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Water Works Team Addresses Water Quality at Lower Levels

On November 13, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates, Newsletters  

With the lower levels of water in West Lake, quality challenges have become more apparent and require a change in the disinfection process. To help mitigate bacteria and other issues at lower levels in West Lake, a free-chlorine disinfection process will begin.

Click through to learn what you can do about the changes in your water…

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Urgent Update on Water Levels in Osceola’s West Lake Reservoir (Video)

On October 13, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates, Newsletters  
osceola west lake drought video

The Osceola Water Works team continues to provide updates to the community about drought conditions and to guide customers in efforts to help conserve water. In this post, we provide additional information in the form of video to help illustrate the severity of our ongoing drought situation.

We ask that all Osceola Water Works customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial do their part to help the community and conserve water. For more information on the Water Conservation Ordinance, Section 3 – Water Emergency, please click through to the Osceola Water Works website.

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Drought Conditions Force Osceola Water Board To Increase Water Restrictions

On October 6, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
drought conditions in osceola, iowa continue to worssen

The Osceola Water Works Board of Trustees has been closely monitoring water levels at West Lake – Osceola, Iowa’s only water source. With much of the state in drought conditions and output from the lake already exceeding safe withdrawal limits, the board hoped to see some relief in the form of rain, but with no precipitation across the area in recent weeks and none in the immediate forecast, the board acted Thursday night to implement Section 3 of the Water Conservation Ordinance, prohibiting use of municipal water services outside restricted parameters and emergency situations. According to HDR Engineering, the safe

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Water Works Board Passes Section 2 Water Conservation Ordinance

On August 4, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
osceola drought conditions august 3 2023

In the Thursday, August 3rd water board meeting, the Osceola Water Works board passed resolution 2023-20 authorizing the implementation of Section 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance. Due to an exceedingly dry Spring and continued dryer than normal Summer, the water levels at West Lake have seen little to no improvement over drought conditions from 2022. Even with recent rains, the lake levels remain more than 4 feet below drought stage. “We’ve really wanted to avoid this,” said Brandon Patterson, Water Works Superintendent. “But with the entire state under drought conditions, and our lake levels diminishing, we need to be

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Dry Spring Raises Osceola Water Concerns

On June 29, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
low water levels in osceola iowa

The adage “April Showers Bring May Flowers” is nice, but when there’s less than expected rainfall, those flowers, and more-so, the water supply throughout the area suffers. Through April, May and June of this year, south central Iowa has seen lower than anticipated rainfall. With temperatures on the rise this week and the dog days of Summer just around the corner, the Osceola Water Works Board and staff are watching the water levels at West Lake closely. “West Lake levels continue to drop,” said Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water Works Superintendent. Our water supply will need to be monitored and we’ll

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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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