Des Moines Water Works recently became the first U.S. water treatment utility

to certify a plant to the International Standards Organization (ISO) 50001

standard and Superior Energy Performance® (SEP) program. The SEP

program has long helped industrial and commercial organizations establish energy

management systems that meet the widely respected ISO 50001 standard and

achieve verified energy and cost savings. As the first certified facility in the water

sector, Des Moines Water Works’ Fleur Drive Water Treatment Plant has paved the

way for similar facilities nationwide to increase efficiency, cut costs, and

demonstrate responsible management of resources.

Water treatment facilities across America increasingly face aging infrastructures

and rising costs. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, U.S. water and

wastewater treatment and distribution systems purchase nearly 70 billion kWh

annually (about 1.8 percent of U.S. electricity consumption). Low-cost operational

changes enabled by an energy management system can sustainably reduce

operating costs to enable reinvestment in infrastructure or control rates.

Des Moines Water Works has taken a proactive step in good stewardship of

energy and ratepayer dollars by implementing a comprehensive energy conservation

and management program. Energy costs are a significant portion of the utility’s

operational budget, so focusing on developing and implementing an energy

management system is a crucial step in this stewardship.

Des Moines Water Works worked closely with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to implement ISO 50001 and SEP. The

utility has pursued energy-saving strategies for decades, but in 2014, the utility raised the bar by joining the SEP pilot for the

water/wastewater sector. In 2016, Des Moines Water Works joined DOE’s Better Plants program and set a goal to increase

energy efficiency 25% utility-wide by 2026. In the following year (2017), the utility joined the Better Plants Challenge, which

involves a commitment to share its solutions.

ISO 50001 and SEP helped the utility establish a formal structure to embed energy management processes and reporting into

normal business procedures, ensuring the retention and growth of energy savings over time. By implementing a rigorous energy

management system certified to ISO 50001 and Superior Energy Performance, Des Moines Water Works’ Fleur Drive Water

Treatment Plant increased its energy performance 2.7% in a single year and is now well-equipped to continuously build on those

savings in the years ahead.

ISO 50001 has empowered employees at Des Moines Water Works to incorporate energy-saving actions in day-to-day

operations, for example: taking into consideration how and where energy is used, the cost of energy, and its impact on water

rates.

“Iowa’s energy costs may be relatively reasonable, but the consequences for inefficient energy use go far beyond short term

costs,” said Bill Stowe, Des Moines Water Works CEO and General Manager. “This new culture of managing energy

performance will help the Des Moines Water Works expand its energy and cost savings to benefit the environment and our water

customers. The certification is a clear indication to Des Moines Water Works customers and

employees that we will lead in providing good stewardship of natural resources, improving

energy performance, and reducing carbon emissions.”

THINK DOWNSTREAM

News & Updates from

Des Moines Water Works

MARCH 2018

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

First U.S. Water Treatment Facility

Certified for ISO 50001 and SEP Program

Des Moines Water Works Fleur Drive Treatment

Plant certified for ISO 50001 and SEP Program.

March2018-1:March2018 2/22/2018 9:27 AM Page 1

Des Moines Water Works and the Water Works Park

Foundation recently finalized the 28E Agreements

to determine the construction, operations and

maintenance for the planned Water Works Park

improvements. Central to the agreement is that all

funding for the improvements will come from the Park

Foundation and no ratepayer fees will be utilized for the

construction or on-going maintenance and repairs.

Construction is expected to begin this spring and will

take place primarily in the eastern portion of Water

Works Park paralleling the Arie Den Boer Arboretum.

The 2018 improvements will include a two-way

amphitheater, great lawn, celebration lawn, restrooms, a

marketplace, two natural play areas and outdoor

classrooms, pathways, and parking. The area will provide a platform for park users to engage in educational,

recreational, and cultural activities and enjoy access to support services such as restrooms and food vendors. A passageway

under Fleur Drive to safely connect Water Works Park to Gray’s Lake Park is planned for 2019.

Much consideration was given to placement of the improvements and their impact on Water Works Park. The amphitheater

has been placed away from the surrounding neighborhoods to minimize noise from activities. A tree replacement strategy is

being implemented to improve the canopy and tree diversity in the small portion of Water Works Park that is impacted.

In the coming months, park users can also expect a dedication of “The Wild,” a celebration of the over 1,400 acres of Water

Works Park that will remain largely untouched. These areas will be enhanced with signage and virtual information tools that allow

for more self-discovery and understanding the role Water Works Park plays in both clean water production and the many

ecosystems contained within.

Funds being raised to implement the master plan are from private sources and do not come from Des Moines Water Works

ratepayers. The Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation has privately raised over $9 million for the project thus far. For more

information on the planned Water Works Park improvements, visit: www.dmwwpf.org/future-plans.

Water Works Park Improvements in 2018

Located in the heart of Des Moines, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden reaches the community through its mission of

exploring, explaining and celebrating the world of plants – made possible by plants' symbiotic relationship with water and a

commitment to ecological stewardship and sustainable gardening practices.

The Botanical Garden opened in 1979 as the Des Moines Botanical Center. It was operated by the City of Des Moines, and

then Des Moines Water Works, until 2013, when the Botanical Garden, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, leased the property. To date, a

multi-phased capital campaign has raised more than $18.6 million, which funded seven acres of outdoor gardens and a

renovation of the facility. The Botanical Garden is currently laying the road map to develop the full 14 acres of the property.

Guests can experience the iconic geodesic conservatory, explore the outdoor gardens, see unique plants in the Gardeners

Show House, shop in the Garden Shop and enjoy art exhibits in the North Gallery.

Beyond offering a space to engage with nature, the Botanical Garden offers events and programs including:

· Downtown Earth Day Tour: Saturday, April 21 The Garden offers free admission thanks to Principal, with activities

from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

· Spring Garden Festival: May 10-13 The Garden celebrates

gardening in Iowa with a plant sale featuring over 500

varieties. Mothers receive free admission on Sunday, May 13

(Mother’s Day). See full itinerary at

dmobtanicalgarden.com/sgf18.

· Adult and Youth Education: Year-round The Garden offers

a variety of lectures and workshops that develop gardening

skills and foster creativity. Learn more and sign up for

classes like Terrariums and Story Sprouts at

dmbotanicalgarden.com/calendar.

The Botanical Garden is open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Printed on recycled paper

March2018-1:March2018 2/22/2018 9:27 AM Page 2