Celebrating Excellence: Osceola Water Treatment Plant Foreman Earns Iowa’s Highest Water Treatment License

On July 28, 2026   /   General Water Works News  
Celebrating Excellence: Osceola Water Treatment Plant Foreman Earns Iowa’s Highest Water Treatment License

At Osceola Water Works, providing safe, reliable drinking water is our highest priority. That commitment is made possible by the dedicated professionals who work hard every day to serve our community. We are proud to recognize Osceola Water Treatment Plant Foreman Cory Gallup for obtaining the Grade IV Iowa DNR Water Treatment Operator license, the highest level of water treatment certification offered by the State of Iowa. Achieving a Grade IV certification represents years of hands-on experience, education, and dedication to the water industry. Candidates must complete extensive training and pass a rigorous state examination covering advanced water treatment processes, state

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Osceola Water Board Expands Nitrate Testing to Ensure Safe Drinking Water

On July 21, 2026   /   General Water Works News  
Osceola Water Board Expands Nitrate Testing to Ensure Safe Drinking Water

In response to ongoing concerns surrounding water quality in the Des Moines area, the Osceola Water Board voted last week to reaffirm its commitment to providing customers with safe, high quality drinking water by increasing the frequency of nitrate sampling at the Osceola water treatment facility. Beginning immediately, the Osceola Water Works treatment plant staff will conduct weekly in-house nitrate testing to closely monitor changing conditions as well as submitting additional samples to the Iowa DNR for certified laboratory analysis on a quarterly basis. Providing safe, reliable drinking water is our top priority,” said Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water Works Superintendent.

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Water Meter Update Catches Unusual Water Usage

On June 9, 2026   /   General Water Works News  
Water Meter Update Catches Unusual Water Usage

Recently, an unusual spike in usage alerted Osceola Water Works crew that there was a potential problem. With a quick phone call, they were able to alert the customer, who found and stopped the leak before too much damage could be done. Previously, that same situation may not have been found until the next time meters were read. In the Fall of 2024, Osceola Water Works began a project of replacing water meters with new Sensus Smartpoints and Meters using the FlexNet System.    The top priority is to focus on the most aged infrastructure, with the goal of having all

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April Showers Bring May Flowers and Osceola Water Works is Encouraging the Use of Rain Barrels

On May 19, 2026   /   General Water Works News  
April Showers Bring May Flowers and Osceola Water Works is Encouraging the Use of Rain Barrels

A rain barrel is a container designed to harvest or collect and store rain water.  They collect water from your roof and store it for later use around your property, as well as promoting water conservation, lowering utility bills and reducing stormwater runoff into sewer systems.  Common uses include watering gardens and lawns, washing cars and outdoor furniture and cleaning tools.  In emergencies, stored rainwater can serve as a backup supply for non-potable uses.   With just a little effort, you can turn every rainfall into a valuable resource for years to come,” said Osceola Water Works Superintendent, Brandon Patterson.   One

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Recent Rainfall Replenishes West Lake

On April 22, 2026   /   General Water Works News  
Recent Rainfall Replenishes West Lake

April’s abundant rainfall has delivered much needed moisture and as a result, the lake level at West Lake has risen to 1072.70 feet above MSL (Mean Sea Level) and is flowing over the West Lake spillway.     This moisture recovery is being seen across the entire state of Iowa. The latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that drought conditions across Iowa have eased compared to the beginning of the year.  Many areas that were experiencing moderate to severe drought have seen a reduction of intensity, thanks to April precipitation. While not all regions have fully recovered, the trends are

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Conservation Today Can Help Ahead of Future Dry Conditions

On March 31, 2026   /   General Water Works News  
Conservation Today Can Help Ahead of Future Dry Conditions

A dry winter across the Midwest has contributed to widening drought concerns.  Osceola saw less than two tenths of an inch of precipitation in February, more than an inch below normal for the month. The entire state received almost an inch less than average, labeling large portions of Iowa as in D1, moderate drought, per the U.S. Drought Monitor Map for Iowa, with some regions already facing severe drought conditions. As we transition into spring and as temperatures rise, dry conditions across Iowa are expected to expand and worsen, evaporation will increase, and water use will begin to climb as

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Osceola Water Works Partners with HDR Engineering, Inc. for Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

On March 12, 2026   /   General Water Works News, Water Treatment Plant Updates  
Osceola Water Works Partners with HDR Engineering, Inc. for Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Osceola Water Works has launched an important project to upgrade the community’s water treatment plant, the facility that turns water from West Lake into the clean, safe drinking water residents rely on every day. The plant has served Osceola well for more than 70 years, but much of the system has not received major upgrades since the early 2000s. As equipment ages and technology advances, the plant needs upgrades to stay up to date and reliable. These upgrades will help the plant process water more efficiently, improve ability to reliably meet water quality standards, and ensure systems meet today’s technology

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Employment Opportunities at Osceola Water Works

On March 10, 2026   /   General Water Works News  
Employment Opportunities at Osceola Water Works

As part of an organizational restructuring and realignment of job responsibilities, Osceola Water Works is accepting applications for a Utility Service Coordinator. Under the administrative direction of the Utility Business Director, the Utility Service Coordinator is responsible for the daily operations of the Utility Office and assisting with all accounting functions of the Osceola Water Works.  This position requires an Associate Degree in Accounting and frequent interaction with the public. This is a terrific opportunity for the right candidate to grow and excel,” said Brandon Patterson, Water Superintendent. “While there are a lot of moving parts and detail-oriented tasks involved in

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Nitrates: What It Means for Osceola’s Drinking Water

On March 10, 2026   /   General Water Works News  
Nitrates: What It Means for Osceola’s Drinking Water

Your Osceola Water Works (OWW) team works hard to ensure the water you use every day is clean and safe. Water treatment processes play a key role in making sure the water from our taps is safe, for drinking, cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene as well as supporting healthy communities and preventing the spread of illness.   High levels of nitrates in drinking water can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and infants under six months. During our most recent testing period, January 7, 2026, nitrate levels from West Lake measured 0.35 mg/L. For comparison, the U.S. Environmental Protection

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