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

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

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.

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

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

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

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

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

Osceola Water Works Launches EPA-Driven Research for Lead Water Lines

On August 1, 2023   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  

For decades, the water lines and infrastructure to residential and commercial properties were made of lead and galvanized metals. With a recent announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requiring detailed documentation and subsequent reduction of lead and galvanized lines across the nation, the Osceola Water Works Board decided to proactively contract with V&K Engineering to begin the process of gathering data and creating a plan for the replacement of lead and galvanized lines throughout the Osceola water supply. While new construction has required the use of copper and plastic lines, the recent announcement brings past construction and older infrastructure

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

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

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

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,

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

Osceola Water Board Increases Conservation Plan to ‘Water Warning’ Level

On November 28, 2022   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
osceola water works drought water warning level

For much of 2022, the State of Iowa has been at or hovering precariously close to severe drought levels. According to mid-October measurements, 57% of the state was experiencing moderate drought levels – an increase from 52% just weeks before. Moving into November, statewide averages improved, but with little increase in precipitation the Osceola Water Board moved to increase the city’s water conservation plan from Section 1: Water Watch to Section 2: Water Warning. According to Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water Superintendent, the Board decided to take this step based off of current water levels in West Lake and as a

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

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

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top

Online Payment Convenience Fee

On October 23, 2018   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
transaction fees

Effective December 1, 2018, Osceola Water Works will begin charging a $2.00 convenience fee for each customer making a utility payment utilizing the online payment site. Currently, the charge to Osceola Water Works for customer use of the online payment site is an item fee of $.25/transaction and a fee of .30% to .50% of the actual transaction amount depending on the card type and designation or approximately $7,700/year. Since the setup of the online payment site, all water utility customers have contributed to paying these fees. In order to keep the water rates as low as possible with continual

More from My Water Works →
Back to Top