Utilities-Irrigation & Back Flow

When moving to Waukee, many residents do not know that the City offers irrigation meters to its customers. If you live in a townhome, the mobile home court or an apartment complex this may not pertain to you.

When watering a new yard or keeping sod growing, you would incur a sanitary sewer cost that can be avoided. The City offers two options in irrigation meters. With both meters, the consumer does not have to pay for sewer charges on water that is used for irrigation or for other outside use.

Option 1 would be a permanently installed one (1) inch meter at a cost of $298.00. City technicians will need access to the home to install this meter after a plumber has diverted the plumbing. This meter is read by the city every month as with the regular water and gas meters. You are only charged for the water that goes through this meter and not the sewer. The typical use for this meter is if you have an underground irrigation system; but, you can also have your outside faucets connected to this meter.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires that backflow assemblies be tested when installed and annually thereafter to ensure proper operation. The testing must be done by a company that has a registered backflow prevention assembly tester and the test results must be sent to City of Waukee.  Forms can be faxed to (515) 987-3979, emailed to Charles Waske at cwaske@waukee.org or mailed to City of Waukee, 230 Highway 6, Waukee, Iowa 50263.  If your system doesn't have an approved backflow device, one must be installed and tested.

Backflow

Irrigation systems that do not plan on using this year

If you have an irrigation system and do not plan on using it, the city will need to be notified by June 15th of each year by contacting the Utility Billing office at (515) 978-5502.  No water consumption will be allowed through your irrigation meter which could include water usage through your outside spigots or any other fixture plumbed through your irrigation meter.  If these criteria are met then a backflow test is not needed.  If water consumption is detected on your irrigation meter then a backflow test is required immediately. 

Irrigation Meters that do not have an irrigation system

A letter was sent to everyone that has an irrigation meter.  If you do not have an irrigation system, then a backflow test is not required.  To ensure that you are taken off the list of having an irrigation system please call the Utility Billing Department at 515-978-5502 or e-mail Charles Waske at cwaske@waukee.org  You will need to provide a copy of the test results to the City before June 15th of each year. Click here for more information on Backflow Testing Of Irrigation Meter  Backflow devices are mandated by State and local law and are required on all irrigation systems.  When water reaches your home, it is important to prevent contamination through a cross-connection. A cross-connection is any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and any source of contamination or pollution such as an irrigation system.  Click here for a Backflow Preventor Test Form.

Lawn irrigation systems are considered a high cross-connection hazard and must be equipped with an approved and properly installed backflow prevention assembly. Irrigation systems that are not protected could endanger your health and that of your family and neighbors.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires that backflow assemblies be tested when installed and annually thereafter to ensure proper operation. The testing must be done by a company that has a registered backflow prevention assembly tester and the test results must be sent to City of Waukee. If your system doesn't have an approved backflow device, one must be installed and tested.

For more information regarding the back flow prevention requirements, you may contact Charles Waske at the Waukee Public Works Department at (515) 987-4363 or by email cwaske@waukee.org   Office hours are Monday - Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Option 2 would be a portable meter at a cost of $80.00 that connects directly to your 5/8" garden hose. This meter can be purchased at City Hall during business hours of 8:00am -5:00pm. If you choose this meter you will need to call in the reads once a month during the summer months. You will receive credit for your sewer charges on the following bill. You are required to bring your portable meter to City Hall each spring to certify the meter and its numbers. THIS METER WILL FREEZE IF NOT BROUGHT IN THE HOUSE DURING WINTER MONTHS.

If one of these options meets your needs, please contact us. For a permanent meter call the Waukee Public Works Department at 987-4363 or for a portable meter, stop by the Utility Office in City Hall (230 W. Hickman Road).