Contact: Public Works Department publicworks@norwalk.iowa.gov 515.981.9527
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021
CITY OF NORWALK IMPLEMENTS WATER SHORTAGE PLAN
Norwalk, IA (June 14, 2021) – The City of Norwalk today will begin implementing Stage 1 of the metro area’s Water Shortage Plan because of drought-induced low river levels and record-breaking customer demand for water.
These two factors created a 90-percent demand on Des Moines Water Works’ production capacity, which is the trigger for initiating the Stage 1. On Friday, June 11, Des Moines Water Works delivered almost 90 million gallons of water to its 500,000 customers. The City of Norwalk receives its water from Des Moines Water Works.
Much of the increase in water demand in the summer is a result of turf irrigation. Beginning today, customers are asked to reduce their lawn watering usage by 25 percent.
The City urges all customers to follow the attached irrigation schedule, which includes no turf irrigation on Mondays and a watering schedule of every other day.
The Water Shortage Plan was created to manage system demand, so customers do not experience pressure, quality, or availability issues during periods of extreme demand.
This week Des Moines Water Works plans to raise the flashboards on its Raccoon River low head dam. Flashboards are large metal gates used to raise water levels around the intake. The flow rate in the Raccoon River is down to less than 300 cubic feet per second compared the median flow of 4,000 cubic feet per second.
As the Des Moines area continues into another week of high temperatures, water usage guidelines could change on a daily basis. Customers should visit the Des Moines Water Works’ website: www.dmww.com and follow DMWW on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (dsmh2o) for the most up-to-date information.
Water Shortage Plan Policy
The intent of the plan is to manage system demand so customers do not experience pressure, quality or availability issues during periods of extreme water demand. It will also be used if we experience water production/supply issues or when distribution system failures occur.
The Water Shortage Plan is divided into four (4) stages. The stages are written to be used in a consecutive fashion but each situation may require a more aggressive restriction and can be initiated at any time. The stages are as follows:
Stage I: Voluntary 25% reduction in turf irrigation Stage II: Voluntary 50% reduction in outdoor water usage Stage III: Mandatory prohibition on turf irrigation Stage IV: Mandatory water rationing
Stage I: Voluntary 25% Reduction in Turf Irrigation
Action:
- Request a city wide 25% reduction in lawn irrigation.
- Encourage customers to optimize their irrigation systems so water is not directed onto impervious surfaces (concrete) and turf is not overwatered.
- Recommend customers irrigate on alternate days. We would ask that even numbered addresses water only on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and odd numbered addresses water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No irrigation should occur on Mondays.
Reasons for Implementation:
- This stage will be implemented whenever Des Moines Water Works implements Stage I within their system; or,
- Whenever the City of Norwalk has a daily consumption for four consecutive weeks that exceed twice the average daily usage for the last consecutive 12 months.
- There are other indications or circumstances that without further reductions in demand, a shortage could occur.
Reason for reversal:
- Once the water tower recovers to maximum height (38ft) on several consecutive days and our two supply pumps alternate cycles. We will also want to consider current and future precipitation and temperatures. This decision will be made by the Director of Public Works or those delegated this responsibility.
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