Public water system · IA7785007
ActiveWest Des Moines Water Works
At a glance
West Des Moines Water Works (PWSID IA7785007) is an active community water system serving Dallas and Polk counties, Iowa. It reports serving 73,959 people through 25,833 service connections. Its primary water source is purchased surface water, and EPA lists it as owned by a local government. EPA's records list 2 violations for this system; none is health-based, and the most recent began in June 2001.
Dataset updated . Source: EPA SDWIS/ECHO public records.
Population served
73,959
Service connections
25,833
Primary source
SWP
Purchased surface water
System type
CWS
Community water system
System record
How does West Des Moines Water Works compare with other water systems in Iowa?
By EPA's size categories, West Des Moines Water Works is a large system (10,001 to 100,000 people). Across Iowa, the 1,828 active systems average 1,718 people each. Nationally, the average active community water system reports serving 6,703 people, so West Des Moines Water Works is about 11 times that figure.
What does “community water system” mean?
A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. Iowa has 1,084 active community water systems, 59% of the state's 1,828 active systems. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. 119 Iowa systems (6.5%) list purchased surface water as their primary source.
Who owns and regulates West Des Moines Water Works?
EPA lists West Des Moines Water Works as owned by a local government. The IA state drinking water program is its primacy agency, the regulator with primary enforcement responsibility for the system under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Does West Des Moines Water Works have drinking water violations?
EPA's records list 2 violations for this system; none is health-based, and the most recent began in June 2001. The violations listed here began between July 1991 and June 2001. By type: 2 monitoring and reporting. The contaminant or rule involved most often is Total coliform bacteria (TCR) (2 of them). EPA lists 2 as resolved. Resolved means at least one resolving action is on record: the system returned to compliance, the rule no longer applies, or no further action was needed.
| Began | Violation | Contaminant or rule | Health-based | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-06-01 | Monitoring and reportingMonitoring, Routine Minor (TCR) · code 24 | Total coliform bacteria (TCR)code 3100 | No | Resolved |
| 1991-07-01 | Monitoring and reportingMonitoring, Repeat Major (TCR) · code 25 | Total coliform bacteria (TCR)code 3100 | No | Resolved |
All 2 violations in EPA's records, newest first.Labels and codes come from EPA's SDWIS reference tables. A monitoring or reporting violation means a required test or report was missed or late; it does not by itself mean a contaminant was found. "Health-based" marks violations of a legal limit or required treatment.
West Des Moines Water Works: frequently asked questions
Who runs West Des Moines Water Works?
West Des Moines Water Works (PWSID IA7785007) is a community water system owned by a local government. It is regulated by the IA state drinking water program.
How many people does West Des Moines Water Works serve?
West Des Moines Water Works reports serving 73,959 people through 25,833 service connections in Dallas and Polk counties, Iowa.
Where does West Des Moines Water Works get its water?
EPA SDWIS lists this system's primary water source as purchased surface water. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own.
Does West Des Moines Water Works have any drinking water violations?
EPA's records list 2 violations for this system; none is health-based, and the most recent began in June 2001. A monitoring or reporting violation means a required test or report was missed or late; it does not by itself mean a contaminant was found.
Is West Des Moines Water Works' water safe to drink?
AquaCensus shows EPA compliance records, not current water test results, so it cannot say whether the water is safe at a given moment. EPA's records list 2 violations for this system; none is health-based, and the most recent began in June 2001. For current results, consult the system's annual water quality report, EPA ECHO, or the IA state drinking water program.
Where can I find West Des Moines Water Works' water quality report?
As a community water system, West Des Moines Water Works must deliver an annual water quality report, called a Consumer Confidence Report, to its customers by July 1 each year, covering the previous calendar year. The system can provide a copy on request.
Other water systems in Dallas County(the first county EPA lists for this system)
| Water system | County | Population served | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee Water Supply | Dallas | 31,823 | Community | Purchased surface water |
| Xenia Rwd (Des Moines) | Dallas | 12,860 | Community | Purchased surface water |
| Perry Municipal Water Works | Dallas | 7,836 | Community | Groundwater |
| Adel Municipal Water Works | Dallas | 6,461 | Community | Groundwater |
| Xenia Rwd (Woodward) | Dallas | 3,465 | Community | Purchased surface water |
| Dallas Center Water Supply | Dallas | 1,901 | Community | Groundwater |
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About this data
Source: U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and SDWA violation records, via EPA ECHO, as published October 1, 2026 — AquaCensus refreshes it quarterly. See the methodology for how records are matched, cleaned and scored.
Cite as: AquaCensus, “West Des Moines Water Works, PWSID IA7785007, Iowa”, https://aquacensus.com/water-systems/iowa/west-des-moines-water-works-ia7785007 (data as of October 1, 2026).