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Sanitary Sewer Operations

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Wastewater diagramWhen you wash dishes, take a shower, pour stuff down your kitchen sink, or flush your toilet that “wastewater” goes into the city’s Sanitary Sewer system. This system consists of over 260 miles of pipe and over 5,890 manholes. This is separate from the Storm System that collects rainwater and drainage. This “wastewater” is conveyed to the Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) for treatment. The WRA consists of 16 metro area municipalities, counties, and sewer districts. Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Authority.

Sewer Rates

Monthly rates include both an availability charge and a charge based on water consumption. These charges are itemized on your Municipal Services bill sent by the West Des Moines Waterworks. Billing questions should be directed to the West Des Moines Waterworks 515-222-3460.

Special Fees

The City has established two Connection Fee Districts for the purpose of financing the extension of trunk sewers in these areas:

Capital Charge

The City has established a Capital Charge for the purpose of financing improvements to trunk lines and treatment facilities.

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

When these are put down the drain, they congeal and deposit in the pipes. FOG can block your drain, your neighbor’s drain, and the City’s collection lines, potentially becoming an environmental and public health risk. The WRA has implemented a program to control FOG from Food Service Establishments.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What's causing the sewer smell in my house?

    The source of the sewer gas can be plumbing fixtures whose traps have gone dry or have lost enough water that the water seal within the trap has broken. You would be surprised to discover that water can rapidly evaporate from toilets and the traps below tubs, floor drains and just about any fixture within a few months. A quick fix would be to pour some water in to the trap. Cracks in either plumbing drain lines or vents pipes are the other source of sewer gas leaks. If the crack is in a drain line, you often see an associated water leak. Vent pipe cracks are far more elusive. Sewer gas problems can also be caused by plumbing vent pipes that are clogged. This can happen in old homes where a cast iron vent pipe gets clogged by years of rust scale that falls off the inside of the pipe and clogs at a 90 degree bend in the pipe. Tennis balls, leaves, and all sorts of other debris can clog plumbing vent pipes.

  • What do I do if sewage is coming out of my basement floor drain?

    If sewage is backing up from your basement floor drain, contact Public Services 515-222-3480. Public Services will send a crew to check if the City main is flowing freely. If it is, the problem is in your plumbing and you will have to get a plumber to fix it.

  • My sump pump makes a big mess in my yard. Can I connect it to my sewer?

    No, that is illegal and this practice can cause sewer mains to be overloaded and backup. However, the city does encourage you to connect your sump pump to the storm sewer system. If no storm sewer is available, the City has a program to construct storm sewers in areas where sump pumps are a problem. Contact Engineering Services 515-222-3475.

  • How can I connect to the sewer if I'm currently on a septic tank?

    First check if a sewer is available by looking at the City’s GIS website (See GIS Link)

  • What will it cost?

    Your cost will include:

    • A contractor or plumber to do the work.
    • The City’s Capital charge per dwelling unit, see link to City code above.
    • If you are in a Connection Fee District, those charges will also apply. See link to Connection Fee Districts above.