Water Works Team Addresses Water Quality at Lower Levels

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…

More from My Water Works

Osceola Water Works Switching To New Billing Structure And Rates

osceola water works

(OSCEOLA, IA – MAY 26, 2021) Osceola Water Works continually strives to provide safe, quality water to the customers they serve. In an effort to continue effectively and safely serving their customers, OWW will be transitioning to a new billing structure that will include a rate increase to not only allow the department to budget for necessary upkeep, repairs and improvements, but also make calculation and payment of future bills easier. Starting July 1, 2021, OWW customers will see the new billing structure. With the new flat-rate structure, the average residential customer will only see an increase of a few

More from My Water Works

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

More from My Water Works

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

More from My Water Works

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

More from My Water Works

NOTICE: Water Works Annual Treatment Change

fire hydrant maintenance, fire hydrant flushing

Starting in October, Osceola Water Works will begin transitioning to winter maintenance and will be making a change in the treatment process. Residents may notice a difference, but will have no cause for concern. In early October, the water works department will begin the annual fire hydrant flushing program. This process is a way to perform routine maintenance on the hydrants and to clean out sediment 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 slight discoloration or trace amounts of sediment in

More from My Water Works

Why and How to Build a Rain Garden

Turn on the Home and Garden channel or visit newer parks and botanical centers and you are bound to hear about a rain garden. Landscapers, homeowners and conservationists are all catching on to rain gardens and spreading the word about what they do and how to build one. While planning and creating your own rain garden may seem like a daunting task, we’re here to answer some questions! What is a rain garden and why is it important? A rain garden is a landscaped area planted with wild flowers and other native vegetation that soak up rain runoff from roofs, driveways or yards.

More from My Water Works

Tap Water vs. Bottled Water: The Facts

bottled water vs tap water

Over the past twenty years, the consumption of bottled water has become so common, the sales are second only to bottled soda and eclipse both milk and alcohol. But is there really a benefit to drinking bottled water over tap water? Let’s compare the facts and find the real story. The safety of municipal water in the 1800s was suspect and not regulated, and bottled water was definitely a safer gamble. The start of water chlorination in the early 20th century and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 changed that, and the popularity dropped off. With the invention of

More from My Water Works

Washing Your Car Causes Dirty Water

washing your car

Washing your car in your driveway on a warm spring or summer day is a rite of passage and a task many drivers look forward to all year. But most people aren’t aware of the damage they’re doing by washing their vehicles in their own paved driveways. Did you know that washing the grime off your car can actually damage Iowa water quality and aquatic life? You’re not only cleaning off dirt, bugs and dust.  The water that runs down your driveway and into the storm drains also contains heavy metal from rust, brake linings, motor oil, gasoline, residue from

More from My Water Works

Osceola Water Works Addresses Customer Concerns Regarding Flint Michigan Lead Issues

osceola water works board members, osceola water works clean water taste and odor

Recent news stories about the dangerous water in Flint, Michigan may have raised some questions for customers of Osceola Water Works. How does lead get into drinking water? What are the health effects of lead in drinking water? How safe is MY drinking water? We would like to provide some answers and ease any concerns. What happened in Flint, Michigan? The city of Flint used to get its water from Detroit, which draws its water directly from the Great Lakes. In an effort to save money, Flint opted to draw their water from the Flint River. While lead isn’t necessarily

More from My Water Works