What We Do

Quality Water - Our Commitment

Quality on Tap Central Iowa Water Association provides a high quality, safe, dependable supply of softened water. In identifying source water, the goal is finding a water supply of superior quality to that available from a typical residential well. CIWA's contracted water sources' quality meets or exceeds state and federal guidelines as outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition, our sources soften their water providing some of the best water available for consumption in the state.

You can learn more about the quality of our water by reading our Consumer Confidence Report.

Central Iowa Water Association currently contracts with Newton, Marshalltown, and Pella Waterworks for its water supply. Forty year contracts with each of these municipal sources assure water capacity to meet the growing needs of our member-customers. In addition to the current contracted sources, CIWA established its first Association owned and operated reverse osmosis water treatment facility located near Waverly.

Source/Supply

Newton Waterworks
The Newton source currently provides more than 900 million gallons of water to CIWA annually. The raw water is pumped from a combination of a Jordan Well and 21 shallow wells located in the South Skunk River Alluvium. The finished water is softened to seven grains of hardness, and iron, calcium, magnesium, and manganese are removed. Newton Waterworks has established a strong partnership with Central Iowa Water Association and continues to be a reliable source.

Marshalltown Waterworks
Water from the Marshalltown source is pumped from the Mississippian aquifer and is treated using a lime soda-ash softening process. The Marshalltown source, which supplies nearly 450 million gallons annually, provides exceptional water quality with finished water softened between six to eight grains of hardness. Central Iowa Water Association has been a long-time customer of Marshalltown Waterworks.

Pella Waterworks
Pella Waterworks has provided a continued supply of water to the southern portion of Central Iowa Water Association's system. Pella's raw water is drawn from the Cambrian-Jordan and Cambrian-Ordovician aquifers and from Alluvial wells along the Des Moines River. Pella uses a lime softening treatment process which provides for similar water quality to that of Newton and Marshalltown. CIWA also utilizes this dependable source to continuously provide water to a portion of the southern service area and also as a redundant source for the portion of the system supplied by Newton Waterworks.

CIWA Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility
Advanced technology in water purification
Waverly Treatment Plant Our 3 million gallon per day water treatment facility uses a reverse osmosis membrane treatment process. The treatment process removes impurities from raw water which is softened to between six to eight grains of hardness. This water treatment facility has the capacity to supply water to within a 60-mile radius of the plant and has expansion capacity of an additional 3 million gallons per day.

Quality Water - For Our Customers

Central Iowa Water Association currently serves more than 12,500 customers and continues to add new member-customers. Central Iowa Water Association currently serves 70 small communities with service tailored to meet their needs. The following provides an outline of possible service options for communities in need of a dependable water supply, staff to support water service, and maintenance of the distribution system.

Community Franchise
Several communities in CIWA’s regional service area have enhanced their water and/or wastewater utility services through a franchise agreement with CIWA. The citizens of the city become direct customers of CIWA. Unincorporated communities are not eligible for franchise agreements; however, water service can be provided through individual residential meters in those circumstances.

Bulk Connection
Many communities have recognized the need for providing a better quality, more dependable supply of water to their customers. The treated water provided through a bulk connection with CIWA may provide your community with the needed quality and quantity of water at significant cost savings. These savings may be realized in the areas of water treatment, storage, distribution, and operations.

Painting tower

Supplemental/Emergency Connection
Recent natural disasters have resulted in water supply concerns and consequently many communities are seeking a contingency plan for water service. A contingency plan may accommodate circumstances that include: well failure, equipment failure, water tower repainting or possible supply contamination. With an emergency connection in place, CIWA could provide the necessary water supply until the community restored its service.

System Operation
According to Iowa Department of Natural Resources regulations, each community operating a public water system must retain a certified operator responsible for system operations. Small communities are experiencing increasing difficulty in hiring and retaining a qualified operator. CIWA can assist small communities with this challenge under a contractual service agreement. CIWA has 10 certified water distribution system operators, two certified water treatment plant operators, and a certified wastewater operator on staff available to assist communities.

Affidavit Operation
A number of rural communities throughout Iowa have knowledgeable staff who understand the mechanics of their system but may not have the required licensure or certification. In special cases, CIWA will act as the “operator by affidavit” for these communities at minimal cost to the city.

Our Newest Service

Wastewater Management
Communities or developments needing assitance with wastewater collection and/or treatment may contact Wastewater Management Services of Central Iowa (WMSCI), a division of Central Iowa Water Association, for assistance. WMSCI provides a dedicated service managing specific wastewater needs for small communities. Services include wastewater education, wastewater system installation and management, and supplementary services to existing sewered communities including operation, account management, and billing.