Fleck Chlorine Taste & Smell Filter

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Understanding the Des Moines Water Supply

The Des Moines Water Works supplies public water to about 246,055 people through approximately 94,000 service connections within Polk County. The water is drawn from surface water sources and undergoes multiple treatment processes before reaching residential taps. Water quality records include EPA's monitoring results related to various constituents, including chlorine used during treatment.

Considering Household Size and Water Usage Patterns

Larger Families and Multiple Bathrooms

Larger households or homes with many bathrooms typically use more water daily, which can affect how chlorine residuals interact with plumbing and water use.

Seasonal or Secondary Residences

Homes occupied seasonally may experience water stagnation when unoccupied, potentially allowing chlorine levels to change or dissipate differently compared to primary residences.

Appropriate Treatment Capacity for Household Demand

Estimating Daily Water Use

Calculating your household's average daily water demand helps determine the needed capacity for filtration systems targeting chlorine removal.

Matching Equipment to Consumption

Choose a treatment solution that can handle peak daily volumes while maintaining consistent chlorine reduction performance.

Interpreting EPA Water System Records for Residential Understanding

What EPA's Data Shows

The Des Moines Water Works system has an official record of one health-based violation but no direct violations related to chlorine. Chlorine levels are controlled as part of disinfection; however, these records indicate the water meets regulatory standards for health at the system level.

What the Record Does Not Show

The data reflects the water treatment and distribution system, not the chlorine concentration in individual household taps, which may vary due to plumbing or water use patterns.

Potential Effects of Prolonged Chlorine Presence

Impact on Taste and Smell

Over time, chlorine residuals in water can cause noticeable taste and odor changes for users.

Possible Plumbing Concerns

Chlorine presence may gradually affect plumbing materials, especially in homes with older pipes, but effects vary widely.

Source Characteristics and Water Quality Expectations

Surface Water Influence

Surface water sources often require chlorine disinfection to meet safety standards, leading to measurable chlorine residuals at distribution.

Sampling Depth and Household Water Quality

Water quality reported by the water system stems from multiple sampling points that do not represent conditions within individual home plumbing systems, where chlorine levels can adjust.

Summary and Next Steps

The EPA water system record for Des Moines Water Works indicates that chlorine is managed as part of surface water treatment serving Polk County residents. To determine the chlorine concentration in your home's water, specific testing of your tap water is necessary. For addressing chlorine taste and odor concerns, the Fleck Chlorine Taste & Smell Filter ships ready to configure for residential use, providing an effective option to improve water quality at the point of entry.

For detailed, official water quality information, refer to the EPA's public water system records for Des Moines Water Works (IA7727031).

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2024-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA SDWIS record for DES MOINES WATER WORKS (IA7727031), surface water supply, serving 246055 people: 1 health-based violations of 3 total; lead 90th percentile 0 mg/L