Osceola Water Works Addresses Water Quality and Lake Turnover

On January 14, 2026   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
water taste and smell in osceola iowa

Osceola Water Works has confirmed that West Lake, the source of Osceola’s drinking water, recently experienced a natural process known as lake turnover. This seasonal event can temporarily affect the taste and odor of drinking water, even though the water remains safe to consume. Lake turnover is the process of a lake’s water mixing from top to bottom. It happens naturally, most often in the fall and spring, when air temperatures fluctuate. During summer, lake water forms a top layer that is warm and heated by the sun and a bottom layer that is colder, darker, and denser. As temperatures

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Employment Opportunities at Osceola Water Works

On October 6, 2025   /   General Water Works News  

Due to ongoing projects around the city, promotions, and employee reshuffling, Osceola Water Works is taking applications to fill two positions on the utility team. Through the reallocation of talent, Osceola Water Works is also looking to fill an open slot for a Water Treatment Plant Operator. Under the general supervision of the Water Works Treatment Plant Foreman and/or the Water Superintendent, this position operates all equipment necessary to produce enough high-quality water to meet system demands. There are a lot of opportunities to grow and transition internally at Osceola Water Works,” said Brandon Patterson, Water Superintendent. “While there is

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Osceola Water Works Makes Annual Transition to Free Chlorine

On September 30, 2025   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  

During the month of October, Osceola Water Works will make a temporary change in disinfectant to Free Chlorine that will take place starting October 2, 2025 and continue through November 5, 2025. This practice is endorsed by health authorities like the EPA and is not considered a public health risk.   Converting to Free Chlorine is a preventative, periodic maintenance practiced by many water utilities to ensure continued quality and integrity of the public water system.  While Chloramines are effective, it is necessary to convert to Free Chlorine, which is a stronger disinfectant used to proactively kill bacteria that can become

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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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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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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 Customer Notification Regarding EPA Lead Service Line Inventory

On November 12, 2024   /   General Water Works News  

Osceola Water Works is focused on providing safe drinking water and protecting the health of every household in our community.  In the coming days, some residents of the City of Osceola will receive a notification regarding their existing water pipe (called a service line) that connects the home, building or other structure to the water main.  This notification is being issued to property owners and tenants to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.  As part of the requirements of the 1986 Congressional Safe Drinking Water Act – Lead Ban, the Federal Government banned the installation of new lead

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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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New Faces at Osceola Water Works

On October 1, 2024   /   General Water Works News, Newsletters  

The office staff at Osceola Water Works continues to grow and build on an already strong foundation of quality and customer service. Two new Utility Office Associates were added to the team earlier this year, bringing considerable knowledge and experience with them. In March of this year, OWW welcomed Ana Landeros Vasquez to their staff. Born in California, Ana moved with her family to Osceola nearly fifteen years ago and she and her husband still call the city home. After graduating from Clarke Schools, Ana continued her education at SWCC, earning her Business Administration and Associate of Arts degrees, as

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NOTICE: Water Works Annual Treatment Change

On September 21, 2016   /   General Water Works News, Important Water Works Updates  
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

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