Des Moines Public Works details sewer operations, pump stations and flood response

Good morning, Mayor Belson and council: Public Works leaders described the scope of the city’s sewer operations and recent initiatives at the Aug. 4 Des Moines City Council work session. Sewer Operations Administrator Steve Johnson told the council the division staffs 93 people when fully staffed and runs cleaning, inspection and construction teams that respond to breaks, clear blockages and prepare for flood events. Those services matter because sewer failures and combined‑sewer overflows (CSOs) directly affect public health and property; the division’s preventive work — from televised inspections to manhole relining — aims to reduce emergency repairs and extend asset life. Johnson said the department uses a “spin caster” manhole lining process that applies about a quarter‑inch of material and “extend[s] the life of the manhole by about 50 years.” Sewer cleaning crews operate multiple combination jetter/vacuum trucks and a heated “jitter” unit for cold‑weather response; the division has three sewer‑television trucks that send a crawler camera through pipes to identify defects. Construction crews known as “manholes and intakes” run four teams of three and operate a lining machine; breakdown crews (three crews) excavate to fix failures and also perform riprap and ditch work after heavy rains. Johnson also reported 71 pump stations across the metro area (31 storm stations, 24 sanitary, 16 WRA stations) and described annual flood preparation drills and use of bypass pumps and temporary 6‑inch pumps during incidents. Newer efforts include a flood committee of employee volunteers to identify operational improvements, a shift to cleaning by watershed/sewershed rather than by roadway, and a digital utility‑locating system to replace paper tickets (about 48,000 locates per year). Johnson said the approach makes cleaning “more thoughtful” and more efficient by cleaning from small laterals up to trunks before conveyance to the Water Reclamation Authority. The presentation was discussion, not a formal action item: staff described practices and projects and agreed to follow up with additional details if council members ask. No motions or votes were taken.