THINK DOWNSTREAM

News & Updates from

Des Moines Water Works

JULY/AUGUST 2017

2201 George Flagg Parkway | Des Moines, IA 50321 | (515) 283-8700 | www.dmww.com | | dsmh2o.com

Move over and slow down. Iowa’s longstanding safety slogan and

official law since 2002, has been broadened by the 2017 Iowa

Legislature to include other public agencies and private companies

working within the right of way. The expanded law, effective July 1,

requires motorists to change lanes (or slow down if changing lanes is not

possible) when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks,

highway maintenance trucks, and utility vehicles for water, electric, natural

gas, telephone, cable, and waste and recycling services.

Des Moines Water Works welcomes the expanded law, which now

recognizes utility vehicles. “As our crews and field staff work to restore

water after a main break or provide service at customers’ home, they are in increasingly in harm’s way due to distracted

drivers,” said Bill Stowe, CEO and General Manager. “This expanded law to include utility vehicles raises driver awareness and

encourages motorists to use caution when approaching a utility vehicle. Please move over and help us to help you.”

Iowa’s ‘Move Over’ Law Now

Includes Utility Vehicles

Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is excited to announce we have partnered with Invoice Cloud, a web-based, electronic

invoice presentment and payment company, to provide faster, more convenient billing services to our customers. The new

online payment and e-bill service offers more flexibility in paying DMWW bills, including paperless billing and pay by text.

No registration will be required to view an online replica of paper bills or to pay a bill. .

Des Moines Water Works chose Invoice Cloud as our new online bill pay service provider due to their commitment to providing

the highest standards in Internet security. Invoice Cloud will safely store all of your financial information using Payment Card

Industry (PCI) compliant systems. This includes truncating (abbreviating) account numbers so that even DMWW does not see

your complete account information.

In conjunction with the launch of the Invoice Cloud platform, the convenience fee for all credit/debit card payments made online

or by phone will increase to a flat rate of $2.75 per transaction. This includes payments made through our recurring credit card

program. DMWW is committed to ensuring customers have a no-cost electronic payment method available, and all electronic

check (ACH) transactions, including automatic payments using electronic check, will be free of charge.

In addition, the online transaction limit for credit card payments will decrease from $5,000 to $500 per transaction.

These changes will go into effect late summer 2017.

Change is Coming

July2017-1:JulyAug2017 6/22/2017 12:57 PM Page 1

We know we need to stay hydrated during these hot days of summer. But what drink is the best? Grab a glass of Des

Moines Water Works tap water. Safe, affordable and abundant drinking water is our mission as your independent

drinking water utility.

Tap water is safe and affordable

Municipal tap water in the United States is some of the safest water you can drink. You can go to nearly any city in the country

and drink the water without giving its safety a second thought. Nonetheless, many people choose to spend more for bottled

water. Studies show that bottled water is no safer than tap water, yet bottled water costs almost 2,000% more. An 8 ounce

glass of water can be refilled approximately 15,000 times for the same price as a six pack of soda.

Replace sports drinks with H2O

A common myth is sports drinks are needed during and after a sports game or workout to recover. The fact is unless you work

out hard for more than one hour, the fluids lost through sweat can be replaced with plain water. Drinking sports drinks when

you don’t need them can lead to weight gain. Sports drinks may be appropriate for competitive sports that last more than one

hour, but during the day and at most sports practices, water is the best drink.

More hydration tips:

· Don’t wait until you are thirsty.

· Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.

· Check on elderly family and neighbors.

· Remember to replenish your pet’s water dish frequently. Printed on recycled paper

Using Water Wisely

By far, the highest water use during hot, summer days is for

lawn or turf irrigation. There are many sophisticated

automated, in-ground lawn sprinkler systems in use today;

however, these systems require regular maintenance to operate

efficiently. Even the most properly maintained system can be

operated unwisely.

Des Moines Water Works, in cooperation with other Central Iowa

water utilities, has developed the “Using Water Wisely” program.

This educational, voluntary customer program is aimed at reducing

water use during hot, dry summer days. Customers can do this

simply by eliminating lawn watering during the hottest part of the

day (10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.). Watering during the hottest

hours of the day is relatively ineffective as a considerable amount of

water does not reach the plant’s roots. In addition, it is important to

remember:

· Voluntarily shift watering to no more frequently than the ODD numbered days of the month if your house address ends

with an ODD number, and EVEN numbered days of the month, if your house address ends with an EVEN number. For

example, if your house number is 1234, it is suggested that you water on the 2nd, 4th, 6th day of the month, and so on.

· Test and monitor irrigation systems frequently to ensure there are no leaking sprinkler heads and that each head is

properly directing its spray onto the turf and landscape.

· For in-ground irrigation systems, install a moisture sensor that will turn off the irrigation system during its normal run

cycle when there has been sufficient rainfall.

· When possible, avoid laying sod or grass seed during the months of July and August. These are typically the hottest

months of the year. New sod has no established root system and therefore requires daily watering during hot summer

days to keep it alive. Beginning the last week in August and through the fall is the best time for laying sod and grass

seed.

· Consult your preferred garden center, lawn or landscape professional for tips and consultation for your specific lawn and

landscape care and watering needs.

Keep your cool, stay hydrated

July2017-1:JulyAug2017 6/22/2017 12:57 PM Page 2