Des Moines IA Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines currently has no active drought emergency restrictions in place, but a permanent year-round outdoor watering ordinance limits residential irrigation to 2 days per week, enforced by Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) regardless of drought status.

The twice-weekly schedule is a standing municipal ordinance — not a temporary drought declaration — meaning it applies even when reservoir levels are healthy. That said, current conditions add real urgency: the Raccoon River, one of DMWW's two primary raw water sources, is flowing at just 78% of its normal rate, and Polk County has been classified as D1 Moderate Drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor. DMWW draws its raw water supply from both the Raccoon River and the Des Moines River, treating it at the Fleur Drive Water Treatment Plant before distribution.

At the state level, Iowa carries no active statewide water restrictions — the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has not issued any emergency conservation orders — but local Polk County conditions are meaningfully drier than the statewide picture suggests.

Practically, here's what this means for a Des Moines homeowner: if your street address ends in an odd number, your two allowed watering days are Tuesday and Friday. If it ends in an even number, you water on Wednesday and Saturday. Either way, you may only run irrigation before 10:00 AM or after 5:00 PM. So if you have an odd-numbered address and want to water your vegetable garden on a Wednesday morning — that is not permitted. You'd need to wait until Friday, and you'd need to finish before 10:00 AM or start after 5:00 PM that day.

Des Moines's watering days and hours

Your assigned watering days are determined by the last digit of your property's street address number. Odd-numbered addresses (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) water on Tuesday and Friday; even-numbered addresses (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) water on Wednesday and Saturday. Sunday is not an assigned watering day for any residential address under the current schedule. If you're unsure which category your address falls into, DMWW's customer service line at 515-283-8700 can confirm it directly.

Multi-family residential properties and commercial accounts follow the same odd/even address system based on the primary civic address of the building or complex. A large apartment complex with an even-numbered address on Ingersoll Avenue, for example, would schedule all common-area irrigation on Wednesdays and Saturdays, before 10:00 AM or after 5:00 PM. Commercial properties with multiple irrigation zones should stagger zone run times within those allowed windows rather than running all zones consecutively through the midday hours.

Des Moines homeowners with established trees should prioritize deep, slow watering on allowed days for species that are particularly stressed during Polk County's current D1 Moderate Drought conditions. Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), a native Iowa tree common throughout older Des Moines neighborhoods, tolerates drought once mature but benefits from deep root-zone soaking during extended dry stretches. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos), both widely planted along Des Moines streets and in residential yards, show stress signs — leaf scorch, early drop — when soil moisture is deficient for multiple consecutive weeks. Drip irrigation or a slow-trickle hose at the dripline on your assigned days, outside restricted hours, is fully compliant and more effective for trees than overhead sprinklers.

Violation fines and enforcement

Des Moines Water Works enforces the outdoor watering ordinance through a combination of customer complaint reports and field staff patrols. DMWW does not currently publicize a dedicated smart-meter violation detection system for irrigation timing, but the utility does use automated meter infrastructure (AMI) across much of its service area, which can flag unusual consumption patterns during restricted hours. The most common enforcement trigger is neighbor complaints filed through DMWW's customer service line at 515-283-8700 or through the City of Des Moines's 311 service request system.

If you receive a $75 citation and believe it was issued in error — for example, if you were hand-watering with a shut-off nozzle, using drip irrigation, or operating within an active new-sod establishment variance — you can contest the citation by contacting DMWW directly. DMWW's customer service team handles initial dispute inquiries; more formal appeals can be directed in writing to DMWW's offices at 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50321. Response times for complaint-based enforcement are typically within one to three business days of a report being filed.

Other outdoor water rules

Beyond the lawn irrigation schedule, Des Moines residents should be aware of the following outdoor water use rules during the current period of reduced Raccoon River flows and D1 Drought conditions in Polk County:

• Car washing at home: Permitted, but DMWW encourages use of commercial car washes that recycle water. If washing at home, use a bucket or a hose with a shut-off nozzle to minimize waste.
• Pressure washing: Not specifically restricted under the ordinance, but DMWW advises limiting pressure washing of driveways, patios, and decks during drought conditions and avoiding runoff into storm drains.
• Pool filling and topping off: Permitted and not subject to the odd/even day schedule. However, DMWW recommends using a pool cover to reduce evaporation loss, which is meaningful given Iowa's summer heat and wind.
• Decorative fountains and water features: Recirculating fountains are permitted. Non-recirculating features that continuously discharge water are discouraged during reduced-flow periods on the Raccoon River.
• New construction site water use: Contractors operating in Des Moines must comply with City of Des Moines stormwater and water use permits; dust suppression and concrete curing water use on active construction sites is generally exempt from the residential watering ordinance.
• Restaurant and commercial food service: State health code requirements for commercial food operations are not affected by DMWW's outdoor irrigation ordinance.

How Des Moines gets its water

Des Moines Water Works draws its raw water supply from two Iowa rivers: the Raccoon River and the Des Moines River. These two rivers converge near downtown Des Moines, and DMWW operates intake facilities on both. The Raccoon River intake is the more historically significant of the two, and it is currently the more stressed — flowing at 78% of its normal rate as of the most recent monitoring data, a direct consequence of Polk County's D1 Moderate Drought classification.

Raw water from both rivers is pumped to DMWW's Fleur Drive Water Treatment Plant at 2201 George Flagg Parkway, the primary treatment facility for the Des Moines metro area. The plant uses conventional treatment — coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection — along with advanced treatment processes including granular activated carbon filtration to address nitrate levels and agricultural runoff contaminants that are persistent challenges for a river system draining heavily farmed central Iowa watersheds.

DMWW also operates the Maffitt Reservoir, a raw water storage reservoir that provides a buffer supply when river intake quality is poor or river flows are low. Maffitt Reservoir, located southwest of Des Moines in Polk County near the city of Cumming, holds treated raw water and allows DMWW to maintain service continuity during periods when the Raccoon River runs high in nitrates (common after spring planting) or low in volume (as it does now). The utility also maintains interconnections with the Central Iowa Water Association for emergency regional supply sharing.

The Raccoon River watershed covers approximately 3,700 square miles of primarily agricultural land in west-central Iowa. That means water that falls on cornfields in Carroll County or Sac County eventually reaches Des Moines's taps — and drought across that upstream watershed directly reduces what DMWW has to work with, regardless of how much rain falls on Des Moines itself.

HOA and brown lawn protections

Iowa does not have a specific statute equivalent to Colorado's CRS § 37-60-126 or Florida's FS § 720.3075 that explicitly prohibits HOAs from fining homeowners for brown lawns during declared water restrictions. Iowa's Horizontal Property Act (Iowa Code Chapter 499B) and the Iowa Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (Iowa Code Chapter 557A) govern condominium and planned community associations but do not contain an express carve-out protecting homeowners from HOA enforcement during municipal watering restrictions.

However, Iowa courts have generally held that HOA rules cannot require conduct that violates a municipal ordinance. Because DMWW's watering schedule is a permanent municipal ordinance — not merely a voluntary conservation request — an HOA in Des Moines cannot legally compel a homeowner to water on non-permitted days or during restricted hours to maintain a green lawn standard. If your HOA issues a violation notice for a brown or stressed lawn while you are complying with DMWW's schedule, document your compliance carefully, including your address's assigned watering days and the hours you irrigated.

Use the following as a template response to your HOA:

"I am writing in response to your notice dated [DATE]. My lawn's current condition reflects compliance with the permanent outdoor watering ordinance enforced by Des Moines Water Works (DMWW), which limits irrigation at my address to [Tuesday/Friday OR Wednesday/Saturday], before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. I am watering on all permitted days within permitted hours. Requiring additional irrigation would place me in violation of the DMWW ordinance. I respectfully request that this HOA violation notice be withdrawn. For confirmation of current restrictions, please contact DMWW at 515-283-8700 or visit dmww.com."

Keeping your lawn alive on restricted water

Des Moines sits in Iowa's cool-humid climate zone, where the predominant lawn grasses are cool-season species that actively grow in spring and fall but can go dormant under summer heat stress. The following table shows how the grasses actually grown in Des Moines lawns fare under the current 2-day watering schedule:

During the current D1 Moderate Drought conditions in Polk County, Kentucky Bluegrass lawns — by far the most common lawn type in Des Moines — are likely entering or approaching summer dormancy. Dormancy is not death; a brown bluegrass lawn will green up with cooler temperatures and adequate fall rain. If you choose to keep bluegrass actively growing through summer, concentrate your two allowed watering sessions on deep, infrequent soaking rather than shallow daily watering. Aim for 1 to 1.5 inches of water total across both watering days, applied before 10:00 AM to reduce evaporation. Raise your mower deck to 3.5 to 4 inches — taller grass shades the soil, slows moisture loss, and withstands heat stress far better than closely cut turf.

Tall fescue and fine fescue lawns have a meaningful advantage during Des Moines's restricted watering periods. Their deeper root systems can access soil moisture that bluegrass cannot reach, making them more resilient across a two-day schedule. If you're overseeding thin or damaged areas this fall — the optimal overseeding window in Des Moines is mid-August through mid-September, when soil temperatures drop below 70°F — consider introducing tall fescue or a fine fescue blend to improve your lawn's long-term drought performance without sacrificing the cool-season look appropriate for Iowa's climate.

Des Moines water restriction FAQ

What days can I water my lawn at my Des Moines address?

It depends on your street address number. If your address ends in an odd digit (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9), your watering days are Tuesday and Friday. If it ends in an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8), your days are Wednesday and Saturday. In both cases, you may only water before 10:00 AM or after 5:00 PM. If you're unsure, call DMWW at 515-283-8700 to confirm your assignment.

Can I water every day if I just planted new sod?

Yes — DMWW allows a 21-day establishment variance for new sod installations, which permits more frequent watering outside the standard odd/even schedule while the sod roots establish. You must contact Des Moines Water Works at 515-283-8700 to register your address for the variance before watering outside your assigned days. Once the 21-day window closes, normal restrictions apply.

Is the Raccoon River drought affecting Des Moines's water pressure or quality?

DMWW has not issued any pressure or quality advisories as of current conditions, but the Raccoon River is flowing at 78% of normal and Polk County is classified as D1 Moderate Drought. DMWW's Maffitt Reservoir provides a buffer supply when river intake is reduced. Customers can monitor supply conditions at dmww.com or by calling 515-283-8700.

Can I wash my car at home in Des Moines right now?

Yes, residential car washing is permitted and is not subject to the odd/even watering day schedule. DMWW encourages using a hose with a shut-off nozzle to avoid leaving the water running while you scrub, and suggests considering a commercial car wash that recycles water if you want to minimize consumption during the current reduced Raccoon River flow period.

Does DMWW use smart meters to catch irrigation violations?

DMWW has deployed automated meter infrastructure (AMI) across much of its Des Moines service area, which allows the utility to track consumption in near-real-time. While DMWW has not publicly stated it uses AMI data specifically to flag irrigation-hour violations, unusual high-usage spikes during the 10:00 AM–5:00 PM restricted window can be visible in that data. In practice, most citations currently originate from neighbor complaints filed through 515-283-8700 or the City's 311 system.

Does Des Moines Water Works offer rebates for water-efficient irrigation equipment?

DMWW has periodically offered conservation rebates and participates in regional water efficiency programs. Check dmww.com or call 515-283-8700 to ask about any current rebates for smart irrigation controllers, rain sensors, or drip irrigation conversion kits. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources also administers periodic conservation incentive programs available to Polk County residents.

Is drip irrigation exempt from the watering schedule in Des Moines?

Yes. Drip irrigation systems are exempt from both the day restrictions and the hour restrictions under DMWW's ordinance. If you're watering vegetable gardens, foundation plantings, or tree root zones through a drip system, you may run it any day at any time. This makes drip conversion one of the most practical adaptations for Des Moines gardeners managing under the two-day schedule during Polk County's current D1 drought conditions.

What happens if my HOA fines me for a brown lawn while I'm following DMWW's schedule?

Iowa does not have a statute that explicitly bars HOA enforcement during municipal watering restrictions, but DMWW's watering schedule is a binding municipal ordinance — not a voluntary request. An HOA cannot legally require you to violate it. Document your compliance (watering days, times, volumes), send a written response to your HOA referencing the DMWW ordinance, and contact DMWW at 515-283-8700 for a written confirmation of current restrictions you can include with your response. See the HOA protection section above for a template letter.

What time can I water in Des Moines?

Watering is allowed Before 10:00 AM and After 5:00 PM. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Des Moines?

First offense: $75 first offense. Repeat violations: DMWW issues $75 first-offense citations.. Contact Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Des Moines?

Current No Active Restrictions restrictions are in effect through Permanent ordinance. Monitor https://www.dmww.com for the latest status.

Can I hand water during Des Moines water restrictions?

Yes. Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is generally allowed on any day during permitted hours. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are also typically exempt from the day-of-week schedule. Confirm specifics with Des Moines Water Works (DMWW).

How do I report a water waste violation in Des Moines?

Contact Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) at 515-283-8700 or visit https://www.dmww.com. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.