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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Protecting Your Home from Frozen Pipes and Water Meter Damage During Extreme Cold

On January 22, 2026   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  

Osceola Water Works wants to remind customers how to protect their homes from costly damage caused by burst water pipes. Once again, Iowa is facing an Extreme Cold Warning, with dangerously low temperatures that can create serious challenges for homeowners and renters alike. With daytime highs in single digits, windchills reaching -35°, and nighttime lows dipping below zero, the risk of frozen pipes and the costly damage they can cause increases dramatically. When water freezes, it expands by about nine percent. That might not sound like much, but it creates an immense amount of pressure. This pressure inside a frozen pipe

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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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Honoring Iowa’s Water and Wastewater Workers

On August 20, 2025   /   General Water Works News  

Most of us turn on the tap or flush the toilet without a second thought. Clean water flows in, wastewater flows out, and we go on about the day. But behind the scenes, there’s a hardworking and dedicated team making sure that happens every single day. That’s why Governor Kim Reynolds has once again proclaimed August 17–23, 2025, as Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week. This marks the 15th year in a row the state has formally recognized the men and women who keep our water safe and our communities healthy. Across Iowa, water and wastewater operators work behind

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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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West Lake Exceeds Maximum Capacity for the First Time Since 2021

On May 23, 2025   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
WATER LEVELS AT WEST LAKE

As of Tuesday morning, May 20, 2025, West Lake’s spillway overflowed for the first time since May 2021. This is a significant milestone in the recent battle with ongoing drought conditions in the area.

The Osceola Water Works team remains cautious about future water needs emphasizes their focus on a future reservoir and sustainable water solutions for Osceola customers…

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Final Call: Submit Your Water Line Info Before It’s Too Late

On May 6, 2025   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  

Osceola Water Works is issuing a final request to all customers: if you haven’t yet submitted information about your property’s water service lines, please do so before May 20, 2025.  The deadline to submit the EPA-mandated Lead Service Line Inventory is fast approaching, and once the report is finalized and submitted, no further properties can be added to the project list. Why This Matters to You The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised its Lead and Copper Rule, requiring all community water suppliers to complete a detailed inventory of lead service lines throughout their service area. This is a vital

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Revisiting West Lake Water Levels

On April 17, 2025   /   General Water Works News  

As Osceola Water Works closely monitors the water levels at West Lake – Osceola, Iowa’s only water source, it’s important to reflect on the past and to keep the future of Osceola’s water supply in focus. This week’s lake level measured 1070.37 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL), which is five feet higher than it was at this time last year – but is still more than two feet below full pool level at 1072.7 feet above MSL. In April, 2024, West Lake Level was at 1065.00 and Osceola was in Section 3 – Water Emergency – Restrictions of the

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Osceola Water Works Launches Customer Survey to Log Lead Lines

On February 25, 2025   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  

Osceola Water Works is required to complete an EPA-mandated water pipe inventory, and is asking for help from the community. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead-Copper Rule Revision mandates all community water suppliers, including Osceola Water Works, to develop a comprehensive Lead Service Line Inventory. Over the past 12 to 18 months, the Water Works team has worked to gather information on the age and pipe materials within the community, and the data collection is nearly complete. One of the final steps is an occupant-owner survey to clarify and complete the data collected. Customers of Osceola Water Works will soon

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NOTICE: Osceola Water Works Board Meeting Date Change

On November 7, 2024   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  

The Osceola Water Works Board of Trustees meeting that is held the first Thursday of every month has been moved from November 7th to November 14th. The meeting will still begin at 5:30 pm. If you have questions or would like more information on the Osceola Water Works Board of Trustees, please contact Osceola Water Works, at 208 W Jefferson St, Osceola, IA 50213, phone: (641) 342-1435, email: osceolawater2@windstream.net.

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