Final Sanitary Sewer Connection Eliminates Future Sewage Overflow into Des Moines River

Press Release

Des Moines, Iowa- Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - The Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) and the City of Des Moines have officially eliminated the last combined sewer overflow (CSO) as mandated in a consent decree by the State of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The final connection of the Ingersoll Run Outlet Sewer at 22^nd Street and High Street was made earlier this week by contractors, which, along with the recently completed replacement of the Birdland Pump Station, completes the last of several EPA-mandated CSO removal projects. The yearslong series of CSO removal projects involved hundreds of millions of dollars of construction, with contractors working throughout Des Moines to install new sanitary sewer lines.

CSOs are common in larger cities like Des Moines with older sewer infrastructure. Combining stormwater and sanitary sewer flows in one system, these sewers can overflow during heavy rains, resulting in untreated wastewater being discharged into the river.

"While these projects were state-mandated, they fit directly into our mission to protect public health and enhance the environment by treating wastewater for the entire Metro," said WRA Director Scott Hutchens. "These have been intensive projects that have had real impacts to neighbors and traffic in their areas. We truly appreciate the public's patience as we've worked to get these new systems in place."

The new sanitary sewer system begins at the 22^nd and High connection, working its way through the Western Gateway area of Downtown Des Moines to W MLK Jr. Parkway, running east towards the Des Moines River before diverting towards the WRA's treatment facility where the wastewater is properly treated before being discharged to the Des Moines River.

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"This is a tremendous achievement that everyone in Des Moines and the surrounding Metro can celebrate," said Des Moines Public Works Director Jonathan Gano. "Eliminating these overflows allows Des Moines to continue improving our waterways and to be a good steward to our local environment."

While the sewer connection is complete, work on the 18^th Street Reconstruction project impacting the majority of the Western Gateway is still underway and Fleur Drive Bridge will remain closed until that work is completed later this summer.

The latest road and trail closures are always available at DSM.city/Closures