Where Does Your Water Come From?
The Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers are used to provide drinking water to more than 500,000
Central Iowans. Upstream land use practices – agricultural and urban – have a direct effect on
water quality and quantity for downstream users. All Iowans should Think Downstream and
consider how they can help make Iowa’s water safe for drinking and recreation.
The Fleur Drive Treatment Plant has the flexibility to draw water from either the Raccoon River or the Des Moines River, in addition to the Infiltration Gallery (a series of underground pipes located throughout Water Works Park adjacent to the Raccoon River). The Gallery collects water from the same shallow groundwater as the L.D. McMullen plant. In an emergency situation, the Fleur plant can draw up to 6 billion gallons of water from the Saylorville Reservoir. Des Moines Water Works’ plant operators, along with laboratory staff, select the river source that has the highest quality water.
The L.D. McMullen Water Treatment Plant at Maffitt Reservoir treats water from six radial collector wells and one horizontal well along the Raccoon River. The collection elements are located in the coarse sand and gravel formation beneath the river. The shallow groundwater receives natural filtration prior to entry into the wells. The 1.3 billion gallon Maffitt Reservoir serves as an emergency supply for the the McMullen plant.
The Saylorville Water Treatment Plant treats water from two radial collector wells along the Des Moines River.
