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Des Moines Installs Drinking Water Source Signs

Photo: Des Moines Water Works

(Des Moines, IA) -- Fourteen “Drinking Water Source” signs have been installed near the Des Moines and Raccoon River bridges in Des Moines. The signs are part of a partnership between Des Moines Water Works, the City of Des Moines and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to raise awareness of where central Iowans receive their drinking water.

 

“We know that what happens upstream affects those downstream,” said Jennifer Terry, the external affairs manager of Des Moines Water Works, the largest drinking water utility in Iowa. “Those two rivers are a precious, natural resource for delivering safe drinking water to our 600,000 customers. We hope through additional public education and awareness of our drinking water sources, people will be mindful of the effects they have on water quality in our rivers, lakes and streams, both at home, as well as downstream.” 

 

The signs mirror a DNR program which placed signs in public waterways throughout Iowa. A study by the Conservation Learning Group from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach found that the signs have educated people about the names and locations of their creeks, rivers and watersheds, and, in some cases, educated them about their drinking water sources.

 

“The assessment from Iowa State showed that where there are creek signs people are twice as aware of the creek and its name,” said Steve Hopkins, the nonpoint source coordinator at the IDNR, who brought the sign idea to the attention of Terry at Des Moines Water Works. “It’s an inexpensive way of making people aware of their local waters. Once they are more aware, they care about it more and are willing to take some sort of action to improve the water quality.”

 


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