By Hola Iowa
Water customers in several Central Iowa communities could receive notices, fees or have their service shut off if they violate the mandatory lawn watering ban.
Water restrictions in Central Iowa have moved into an enforcement phase for residents who continue using irrigation systems during the Stage 3 Water Warning.
Central Iowa Water Works is keeping a mandatory lawn watering ban in place for residential, commercial and government customers. The order applies across several Des Moines-area communities and allows local utilities to enforce violations through notices, fees and possible service shutoffs.
The warning was activated June 8 to reduce water demand while treatment facilities manage elevated nitrate levels in source waters, including the Raccoon River, Des Moines River and Infiltration Gallery.
Des Moines can shut off service after a second violation
Des Moines Water Works customers are not allowed to water established lawns during the Stage 3 warning, except for limited cases involving newly installed sod or seed placed during the current growing season.
Customers observed watering in violation of the order will first receive a notice left at the property.
If Des Moines Water Works observes lawn watering again within 48 hours after the notice, water service will be terminated and the utility’s published termination fee will apply.
Service can be restored only after the customer signs a written acknowledgement stating that they understand the restriction, will follow the mandatory conservation rules and accept that future violations may result in additional shutoffs.
Des Moines Water Works also considers lawn watering during the ban an unauthorized use of water. Additional charges may apply under the utility’s rules for unauthorized water use or meter tampering, and those charges must be paid before service is restored.
Residents in the Des Moines Water Works service area can report addresses for irrigation review by emailing [email protected].
West Des Moines and Urbandale also warn about fees and service interruptions
West Des Moines has also posted the Stage 3 warning and confirmed that lawn watering is banned in the region, with limited exceptions for new sod or seed placed during the current growing season.
The city is asking customers to stop unnecessary outdoor water use and reduce indoor water use when possible. Recommended steps include running washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads, fixing leaks and turning off water while brushing teeth or shaving.
Urbandale has issued a similar warning for its customers. The city said customers observed watering established lawns in violation of the Stage 3 plan may receive a notice from their water provider.
Continued violations after a notice may result in service interruption and applicable charges.
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Waukee asks residents to stop lawn irrigation immediately
The city of Waukee said Central Iowa Water Works activated Stage 3 on June 8 and asked affected customers to stop lawn watering immediately.
The local notice says treatment facilities and nitrate removal resources are operating at full capacity.
Waukee is asking residents to turn off irrigation systems and follow the regional warning while the conditions that triggered the restriction remain in place.
The ban applies to residential, commercial and government lawn watering, with limited exceptions for new sod or seed.
Clive saw strong compliance during last year’s restriction
Clive is also one of the communities affected by the Stage 3 Water Warning.
During the 2025 restriction, local officials reported high compliance and few cases that resulted in fines. City officials said part of the work involved contacting residents who did not realize their irrigation systems were still running.
That approach could continue this year through notices, calls or direct communication before more serious enforcement steps, depending on each local utility’s rules.
Central Iowa Water Works coordinates regional treatment and wholesale water supply, but cities and local utilities handle customer accounts, billing, distribution and direct enforcement.
Drinking water remains within safety standards
Central Iowa Water Works said the region’s drinking water remains safe and meets state and federal standards.
The warning is not about a lack of water in rivers or reservoirs. The regional authority said the issue is treatment capacity when nitrate levels remain elevated in several source waters at the same time.
The federal nitrate limit for drinking water is 10 milligrams per liter. When source waters exceed that level, treatment plants must reduce production or use additional processes to keep treated water within safety standards.
Central Iowa Water Works reported that, as of June 8, the Raccoon River had recorded 136 days above 10 milligrams per liter, the Des Moines River had recorded 117 days and the Infiltration Gallery had recorded 86 days.
The ban covers established lawns, not every outdoor use
The order bans watering established lawns. It allows minimum watering for newly installed sod, newly seeded lawns placed during the current growing season and vegetation used for erosion control.
Sports fields and golf courses may be irrigated only at the minimum level needed for safety and plant preservation.
Decorative water features that do not recirculate water should be turned off. Central Iowa Water Works has also asked customers to stop all unnecessary outdoor water use.
Customers should check notices from their city or local water provider to confirm specific rules, charges, reporting options and exceptions. The Stage 3 Water Warning will remain in effect until Central Iowa Water Works and its member agencies announce changes.
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