The first municipal utility Denison formed was their water utility. In November of 1884, the people of
Denison created their first water system. While the system was simple in those days, it has evolved
until today; it is capable of serving Denison and part of the rural areas and communities near Denison.
The current facility can produce seven million gallons of water each day. Here are the policies and
procedures we utilize to get this important job done
Service Characteristics
The Utility will make available, throughout its service area, water service of a character determined by
the Utility to meet the needs of the customers.In supplying this service, the utility shall own and
maintain all facilities up to and including the corporation valve and saddle attached to the main. The
utility, in addition, owns and maintains the water meter and meter set. The property owner shall own
and maintain, the water service line from the curb stop to the building. All valves, riser boxes and other
equipment attached to the service line are the responsibility of the Utility.
Service Extensions
Water main extensions into new developments are installed by the developer according to utility
standards, and then deeded to the City of Denison - Municipal Utilities. These rules and procedures are
spelled out in the Planning and Zoning Ordinances of the City of Denison, and administered by the
Building Inspector of the City of Denison.The utility, at its expense, maintains, replaces and enhances
the water mains that are part of the system.Main extensions will be constructed along existing public
roads, streets and alleys, wherever practicable.It is the policy of the DMU to furnish water at retail both
inside Denison as well as certain areas outside Denison. When a municipal water main is extended
outside Denison it shall be authorized by action of the Utility Board of Trustees. The Board shall
endeavor to plan for the orderly development of a system of municipal water mains that serve the
existing corporate purposes as well as preserves the ability of the municipal water utility to serve in an
expanding Denison in the future.Un-numbered resolution appearing in the 8-26-77 minutes on this topic
is hereby repealed.Water main extensions of larger than normal size are available at the option of the
utility and may require a monetary aid in construction. The Board of Trustees may waive the aid in
construction in whole or in part. Such waiver shall be based upon the sufficiency of estimated revenues
from service or upon a determination that the waiver is in the public interest
Engineering Practice
Facilities of the utility shall be constructed, installed, maintained and operated in accordance with
accepted good engineering practices in the water industry , to assure - as far as reasonably possible -
continuity of service and safety of persons and property. However, the utility shall not be held liable in
actions arising from interruption or fluctuations of service.The Utility shall use and shall require
compliance with applicable standards adopted by the following organizations:American Water Works
Association (AWWA) Department of Natural Resources (DNR) City Code - City of DenisonIn the event
of a conflict between the above listed standards, the more restrictive standard shall apply.
Customer Relations
Customer relations for the water customers are the same as for the electric customers. These rules are
spelled out in the Electric Division of our policy handbook.The Building Inspector administers the
plumbing code for the City of Denison. In addition, the Inspector receives application and hook-up fees
for new water services and delivers them to the utility.
Distribution System
The water distribution system owned by DMU consists of all water storage facilities, water mains,
pressure booster stations and fire hydrants.Water storage in the system is provided by five (5) separate
facilities. First, a 500,000-gallon and a 1.5 MG. clear well are located at the water treatment plant.
These units are used as a reservoir for high service pump suction and to permit flexibility of operation at
the water treatment plant
The other three (3) storage facilities are elevated tanks within the system. A one million gallon elevated
tank near the high school and a 500,000 gallon tank located on 16th Street at 4th Avenue North serve
the majority of the community and receive flow and pressure from high service pumps at the water
treatment plant. A 200,000-gallon tank located north of 6th Avenue North near the ball fields and a
portion of the distribution system it serves are isolated from the remainder of the system by a booster
pump station on 6th Avenue North.Water mains and fire hydrants are replaced and upgraded as the
needs merits
Water Supply Wells
All water for the community is obtained from eleven (11) wells. Six are in the South well field in and
around Denison, five are in the North well field, 2 miles north of Denison on Hwy. 39
Water Treatment Plant
The Denison water treatment plant was constructed in 1962. It was modified slightly in 1985. In 2001, a
major plant reconstruction was completed that enlarged the plant's maximum capacity to 7.0 million
gallons per day. The plant serves all of Denison retail water needs. It also supplies water under a
wholesale contract with West Central Iowa Rural Water Association of Manning, Iowa.After filtration, the
water is fluoridated and chlorinated prior to its being pumped to the distribution system.Chemicals used
in the water treatment plant include lime, sodium aluminate, carbon dioxide, chlorine, and fluoride.
Carbon dioxide gas is delivered in bulk form and stored in a refrigeration unit. Fluoride is delivered in
drums and is fed as a liquid.Solid materials removed from the water treatment plant are stored in
lagoons located south and west of the plant. Periodically, these lagoons are cleaned by private
contractors. Backwash water used to clean the filters is stored in a recovery basin. This water is
recycled back to the head of the plant for re-treatment and reuse. The solids in the backwash water are
removed in the upflow clarifier and also disposed of in the lagoon. The backwash recovery basin was
constructed in 1973.Denison's Water Treatment Plant is a Grade III plant, and as such, a grade III
certified operator shall have direct responsible charge. The treatment plant shall be run by certified
operators, complying with the provisions of the state permit
Service Rules (Tariff)
Some of the service rules of the Denison Municipal Electric Utility are regulated by the Iowa Utility
Board, (IUB). Some pages of this tariff refer to the Iowa State Commerce Commission (ISCC), the
predecessor of the IUB