Students Learn About Careers in Water Operations and Management

Osceola water works career day

Ever think what it’s like to work with one of your community’s most valuable resources? Students at Clarke Community High School spent the day with Osceola Water Works’ own Plant Foreman, Cory Gallup, discussing exactly that. As a part of the district’s career day, Cory spent the day with Clarke juniors and seniors discussing various aspects of a career in water operations. Students filed into Gallup’s presentation as part of a day-long tour that included local businesses, schools, and trade organizations to learn about various careers open to them after graduation. As an Osceola Water Works representative with more than

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UPDATE: Understanding Your Osceola Utility Bill

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

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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Commercial Building Reopening Tips from CDC and Osceola Water Works

reopening my business checklist

As the state of Iowa looks at reopening businesses after an extended COVID-19 shutdown, there are a number of preparation steps to be taken to ensure the safety of employees and customers. One thing that may not be top of mind for many people is the condition of the building’s water system. Prolonged shutdown or reduced operation such as those experienced during this pandemic may impact the water quality in commercial businesses, including schools, daycares, and beauty salons, just to name a few. Along with potential microbial hazards, the stagnant water may have produced disinfectant by-products, metals leaching into the

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2019 – Consumer Confidence Report

The 2019 Water Quality Report for Osceola Water Works has been released. This report contains important information regarding the water quality on the Osceola Water Works system.  To read the details of this year’s report, click the report image and you will be able to open and download or print a PDF of the report. If you have questions, please contact the Osceola Water Works offices through our website contact page or by calling: 641-342-1435.  

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Payment Convenience Fee to Take Effect December 27th

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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NOTICE OF HEARING AND LETTING: Downtown Water Tower Rehabilitation

osceola water works

NOTICE OF HEARING AND LETTING Sealed bids will be received by the Osceola Water Works at 208 West Jefferson Street, Osceola, IA 50213, until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 for the following described public improvement: DOWNTOWN WATER TOWER REHABILITATION OSCEOLA WATER WORKS OSCEOLA, IOWA HDR PROJECT NO. 10125002 At the above time and place all bids received by the Water Works will be opened and publicly read with the results being reported to the Osceola Water Works Board of Trustees (Owner) at their meeting on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at which time the Owner may

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NOTICE: Watch for Water Works Annual Treatment Change

water treatment, fire hydrant

Starting in October, Osceola Water Works will begin transitioning to winter maintenance and will be making a change in the water treatment process. While residents may notice a difference, there will be no cause for alarm. In early October, the water works department will begin their annual fire hydrant flushing program. This process allows OWW to perform routine maintenance on the hydrants and to clean out sediment that has settled in the water mains. Department employees will open the fire hydrants and allow them to flow freely for a short period of time. Residents may notice a slight discoloration or trace amounts

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Familiar Drought Conditions Emphasize Need for New Reservoir

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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Late Algae Bloom Hits Osceola Water Works

late algae bloom, algae bloom treatment, osceola water works

West Lake, which supplies water to the city of Osceola, is experiencing late season algae issues, requiring increased treatment and causing a change in the treatment needs of the city’s drinking water. Osceola Water Works crews detected a large algae bloom in West Lake on November 7, prompting a necessary late treatment of West Lake. An algae bloom of this size and scope is exceptionally unusual for this time of year, with mid-September being the standard last algae treatment needed. Some customers may have noticed a change in the taste of the water, but the Osceola Water Works department acted

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