Become a Citizen Water Academy Graduate
Third Annual Citizen Water Academy
Water plays a key role in your health and safety and it also plays a role in our exciting community. Whether it is quenching your thirst on a hot summer day, swimming in the 1,000,000 gallons of water at the Downtown YMCA pools, or the main ingredient to the Des Moines’ craft brew you love, Des Moines Water Works is a regional utility that provides the #LiquidAsset for Greater Des Moines (DSM) to thrive.
Des Moines Water Works has supplied safe, abundant and affordable drinking water to Central Iowans for 100 years; however, the associated planning, production, distribution, monitoring, and challenges presented by deteriorating source water are not common knowledge among most citizens in the Des Moines area. To help current and emerging leaders in our community learn and appreciate our most important natural resource – the water we depend on for life – Des Moines Water Works is hosting the third annual Citizen Water Academy. The Water Academy is a free, four-session crash course about the history, use and management of water in the central Iowa region.
Selected participants will receive 16 hours of instruction, tour multiple water treatment plants operated by Des Moines Water Works, and hear from over 15 soil, water and environmental experts. Citizen Water Academy graduates will come away with a better understanding of their local water utility and are equipped to join or help lead the conversation on important water and environmental issues now and in the future.
Previous Water Academy graduates are Des Moines Water Works customers from all sectors – Des Moines and suburban city councilmembers and staff, county supervisors, young professionals, retirees, community organizers, educators, parents/grandparents, and more.
What do recent Citizen Water Academy Graduates have to say?
“You covered a lot of information in a short amount of time. I'm impressed with the program.”
– Katie Rock, Polk Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner; Citizen Water Academy 2018 graduate
“Excellent speakers with quality information. This will help me be a much better citizen and advocate.”
– Patricia Prijatel, Drake Professor Emerita and health writer; Citizen Water Academy 2018 graduate
For more information and to apply to be a part of the next Citizen Water Academy graduating class, visit CitizenWaterAcademy.com. The deadline to apply is September 20, 2019. Des Moines Water Works staff will review all applications, give consideration to ensure the class composition is diverse and regionally balanced, and select no more than 24 candidates. Candidates must
Named as the #13 Best Place to Live in the U.S. and #7 Best City for Living the American Dream, Greater Des Moines (DSM)is the fastest growing metro in the Midwest. Learn more about what it’s like to live here.
Laura Sarcone
Laura Sarcone is the public affairs manager at Des Moines Water Works, where she leads communications and community relations activities, coordinates environmental advocacy, legislative and regulatory issues impacting the water utility.