The West Des Moines Water Works Board of Trustees has approved a resolution to join Central Iowa Water Works, becoming the latest community to sign on to the regional drinking water system.

The board unanimously voted to join the new water organization on Wednesday, Dec. 20, becoming the 12th to join. The board also approved the 28E/F sharing agreement at its meeting, becoming the fifth organization to approve the sharing document. The others who have signed the agreement are Des Moines Water Works, Urbandale Water Utility, Johnston, Polk City and Norwalk.

Discussions about developing a regional drinking water authority have been ongoing for more than a decade, becoming more serious and productive among the three board-governed water utilities — West Des Moines, Des Moines and Urbandale — in 2020.

Leaders of those utilities have said a regional system would provide the tools and opportunities to support continued economic growth in the region.

Central Iowa Water Works would not replace or eliminate water boards or departments in member communities. Each community would supply water it purchases from CIWW to its individual customers, set its own water rates, operate and maintain its local distribution system (mains and water towers), and provide its own customer service.

Each founding member will have a seat on the CIWW governing board.

The other founding agencies are Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk City, Urbandale, Warren Water District, Waukee and the Xenia Rural Water District.

Communities that have not signed the sharing agreement are expected to approve it by the end of the first quarter of 2024. Once those are signed, the documents will be filed with the state, formally creating the regional water utility.

Once that happens, a board will be established, policies and wholesale rates will be set, an executive director will be hired, a budget will be established and an interim budget will be set.

The new Central Iowa Water Works system is expected to become operational on Jan, 1, 2025. Once that happens, the transfer of water production assets will occur.

“We have a lot of work to do before CIWW is up and running,” said Christina Murphy,
general manager of West Des Moines Water Works.

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Des Moines Water Works approves resolution to begin regionalization talks, awaits decision by W.D.M., Urbandale