It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in West Des Moines, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in West Des Moines, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Des Moines, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in West Des Moines, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The final day of the Iowa high school boys soccer tournament saw champions crowned in four classes from Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines.In the fourth and final championship of the day, West Des Moines Valley downed Johnston, 3-0 in the Class 4A game. Senior Kenan Saknaovic had two goals while classmate Pab...
The final day of the Iowa high school boys soccer tournament saw champions crowned in four classes from Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines.
In the fourth and final championship of the day, West Des Moines Valley downed Johnston, 3-0 in the Class 4A game. Senior Kenan Saknaovic had two goals while classmate Pablo Mendez had a goal with two assists for the Tigers, who finished the year having won their last 21 in a row.
The Dragons were trying to repeat after winning gold last spring.
Urbandale captured 3A gold with a 1-0 victory over Iowa City Liberty. Sophomore Brice Lumley recorded the only goal of the game, finding the back of the net six minutes into the first half.
Connor Rash recorded a hat trick to lead Gilbert to an unbeaten season with a 3-2 victory over Sioux City Bishop Heelan in the 2A final. Rash scored twice in the first five minutes of the match before the Crusaders answered with goals by Christopher Pena and Sergio Mijangos before the half.
In the 71st minute, Rash was awarded a penalty kick and converted, giving Gilbert the title.
An own goal in overtime ended the 1A championship in favor of West Sioux over Van Meter, 2-1. Jonathon Flores Topete tied it up in the second half with a goal at 79:22 after Andon Watson had given Van Meter a 1-0 lead eight minutes in.
Digital Editor DES MOINES, Iowa —Looking for something to do this weekend?Check out these events and activities happening across the Metro June 6-8, but make sure you check the weather before you head out.Previous video above: Music Under the Stars music festival moves away from Iowa CapitolFriday, June 13Movies Under the...
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Check out these events and activities happening across the Metro June 6-8, but make sure you check the weather before you head out.
Previous video above: Music Under the Stars music festival moves away from Iowa Capitol
Movies Under the Stars with Ankeny Parks & Recreation, 410 W. 1st St., Des MoinesMovie starts at dusk.Cost: Free.Bring your favorite movie snack and a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Coolers are allowed.Friday's movie is "Kung Fu Panda 4."
Food Truck Friday at Campbell Park, 12385 Woodlands Parkway, Clive5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. FridayCost: Free to attendLive entertainment and food presented by Clive Parks and Recreation and the Clive Chamber of Commerce. Click here for more information.
Sips in the City at the Ruan Center, 666 Grand Ave., Des Moines6 p.m. FridayCost: Tickets start at $50 online, $60 at the doorSips in the City is Des Moines Winefest's signature summer event. Whether you’re a wine lover or just here for a good time, this night has something for everyone.Expect a fun DJ, great vibes, and plenty to sip on, from global wines to seltzers, spritzes, and other fun finds. Add in delicious bites from local favorites and you’ve got a perfect summer night out. Doors open at 5 p.m. for VIP access and 6 p.m. for general admission.
Cajun Fest at The Hall WDM, Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines11 a.m. to 5 p.m. SaturdayCost: $45 all-y0u-can-eat, kids 10 and under free with paying adultCajun Fest is the Mardi Gras of the Midwest, an all day celebration of Cajun culture through food, live music, and interactive entertainment.Your $45 entry includes all you can eat Cajun classics: Crawfish Boil, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Beignets, Dirty Rice, and more.
Bacoon Ride 2025, Hickman Road near 10th Street, Waukee7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Cost: $15-$120; Register online.
The Bacoon Ride is a highly anticipated annual bike ride that winds through several central Iowa towns along the Raccoon River Valley Trail. The name itself is a clever play on words that combines “bacon” (a beloved food in Iowa) and “Raccoon” (the trail’s namesake).During the ride, cyclists stop at each town to indulge in bacon-themed food and drinks, making for a delicious and enjoyable experience. Additionally, the event supports local charities, making it both fun and philanthropic. Find the full schedule here.
Iowa Barnstormers First Responders Night, Wells Fargo ArenaGame kicks off at 7:05 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.Cost: Tickets start at $21; Purchase onlineThe Iowa Barnstormers are taking on the Massachusetts Pirates on Saturday for their annual First Responders Night. First responders will be honored and recognized as heroes throughout the evening, including a pre-game presentation on the field.Emergency vehicle displays will be set up outside the arena.
Music Under the Stars at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines7 p.m. SundayCost: FreeThe longest-running free summer event in Des Moines is Music Under the Stars, a free professional concert and jazz band performances. On Sunday, the concert will be celebrating dads for Father's Day. Celebrate fatherhood and fairy tales with the soaring soprano of Abby Kate Boeschen and the beloved vocals of Gina Gedler.
The Des Moines Biergarten at Water Works Park has opened for the season. Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere, beer, food and live entertainment every Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
Find our guide to nearly two dozen central Iowa farmers markets here.
Looking for live music concerts and other shows? Check our extensive concert list here.
Beat the heat with a sweet treat. Try one of these tasty ice cream shops around central Iowa
Friday: Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. High near 86F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Friday night: A few clouds. Low 66F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 88F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday night: A few clouds. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Partly cloudy in the morning, followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday night: Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Have a weekend event or favorite place to grab a bite on the weekend? Share it with us by emailing [email protected].
Des Moines RegisterWells Fargo continues to cut its West Des Moines workforce, saying it will be laying off an additional 35 workers from its Jordan Creek campus in August.The announcement on the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, site follows a disclosure the company made in May that it was amending its previous announcements to include 159 more workers for lay...
Des Moines Register
Wells Fargo continues to cut its West Des Moines workforce, saying it will be laying off an additional 35 workers from its Jordan Creek campus in August.
The announcement on the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, site follows a disclosure the company made in May that it was amending its previous announcements to include 159 more workers for layoffs in May, June and July.
Since April 2022, Wells Fargo has announced 82 layoffs in the Des Moines area, and amendments like those in May, for a total of 1,241 workers.
Wells Fargo issued its standard statement that it works to find opportunities for affected employees in other parts of the company and provides assistance, such as severance pay and career counseling, if jobs are not available.
“Des Moines is an important employment market for Wells Fargo, and we are committed to serving our customers and supporting the community,” the company said in a statement following its layoff announcement in May.
The latest Des Moines metro layoff notices did not indicate in which divisions Wells Fargo was reducing jobs, and the company has declined to specify when asked in previous layoffs. The bank’s home mortgage division, heavily concentrated in the Des Moines metro, has throttled back amid higher interest rates and lower demand.
Wells Fargo's Des Moines metro employment peaked at 14,500 in 2017, but it has since fallen to what the Greater Des Moines Partnership says is “more than 11,000.” That's eclipsed by the 12,000-plus workers with the Hy-Vee supermarket chain, which has its headquarters in West Des Moines.
Wells Fargo reportedly expects consumer loan growth in the United States to remain flat or potentially decrease through the end of the year.
“I wouldn’t expect large growth on the consumer side in any way, potentially even a net decline,” Wells Fargo Chief Financial Officer Mike Santomassimo said Tuesday (June 10) at the Morgan Stanley U.S. Financials Conference, according to a Reuters report.
It is also another blow to Des Moines’ financial and insurance industry following the announcement at the end of May that Des Moines-based F&G Annuities and Life was laying off 192 employees.
Des Moines-based F&G Annuities and Life will lay off employees by next week, a blow to a rare recent bright spot in the metro's sluggish financial services sector.
The fourth-largest bank in the United States, with assets of $1.7 trillion, San Francisco-based Wells Fargo received brighter news earlier this month when it was released from a punitive, seven-year, $1.95 trillion cap on its assets after the U.S. Federal Reserve lifted the regulatory measure, allowing the bank to pursue unimpeded growth.
The Fed imposed the unprecedented restriction in 2018 following years of high-profile missteps at the bank, including a far-ranging scandal in which employees opened millions of unauthorized accounts for customers.
But the Fed said in a statement that Wells Fargo had made "substantial progress" in addressing its deficiencies, including improving its governance and risk-management programs and completing a third-party review of its overhaul, according to a Reuters report.
Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at [email protected].
Des Moines RegisterThe Des Moines metro is under its first-ever lawn watering ban, and residents may have questions on how this applies to them.Central Iowa Water Works — the Des Moines region's water authority — on June 12 banned its 600,000 commercial and residential customers from watering th...
Des Moines Register
The Des Moines metro is under its first-ever lawn watering ban, and residents may have questions on how this applies to them.
Central Iowa Water Works — the Des Moines region's water authority — on June 12 banned its 600,000 commercial and residential customers from watering their lawns, effective immediately and until further notice, as high levels of nitrate pollutants in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers threatened to outstrip its treatment capabilities.
Customers who repeatedly violate the ban could face losing their water service, officials said.
Here's what we know about the ban.
Federal drinking water regulations limit nitrate content in drinking water to 10 milligrams per liter for health reasons, and Water Works' equipment for removing it already is operating at capacity.
So the regional water authority is limiting the amount of water it has to process, to ensure that treatment facilities can produce enough water for essential uses, at acceptable nitrate levels.
"Irrigation of lawns is by far the largest source of increased demand in summer, sometimes doubling the amount of water drawn from the system," according to a post from the city of Waukee.
Consuming water with high levels of nitrates is associated with infant asphyxia, known as blue baby syndrome, and even lower levels of nitrates have been linked to cancer.
For now, treated drinking water continues to meet all state and federal regulations for drinking and household uses, the regional water authority said.
The ban affects all Central Iowa Water Works members: the cities of Ankeny, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk City, Waukee; unincorporated Polk County; all Des Moines Water Works customers including residents of Des Moines, Alleman, Berwick, Bondurant, Cumming, Pleasant Hill, Runnells and Windsor Heights; the Urbandale Water Utility; the Warren Rural Water District; West Des Moines Water Works; and Xenia Rural Water.
People watering gardens or flowers should do so with a hand-held container and not use a sprinkler or run water through a hose.
Waukee also advised residents to use leftover water from half-full drinking glasses or rinsing produce to water potted plants.
Regional water authorities asked customers to avoid washing cars.
Regional water authorities asked customers to avoid filling pools. They also advise skipping outdoor water play for kids.
Regional water authorities have asked that customers repair leaky faucets, hoses or toilets, run only full loads in washers and dishwashers, and take shorter showers.
Members of Central Iowa Water Works, made up of cities and local water providers, will enforce the ban based on their rules.
Customers of Des Moines Water Works, the largest member of CIWW, who irrigate in violation of the ban will be notified via a tag left at their property, according to the city of Des Moines. If they don't stop watering within 48 hours, their water service may be terminated, according to the post.
Des Moines Water Works has set up a dedicated phone line to report violations: 515-323-6247. Residents can report violations by emailing a photo and address to [email protected].
Waukee spokesperson Heather Behrens said the city will be monitoring meter usage. People can also report concerns to the Public Works Department.
In many regions of the country, watering bans enforced with fines are a routine part of summer, especially in Sunbelt states like Texas, Florida, Arizona and California.
The ban is in place until nitrate levels go down.
If conditions were to worsen, the next possible step would be to ration water.
"But that's not even on the radar," said Tami Madsen, Central Iowa Water Works executive director. "If we all work together, and get through the next few weeks, we won't even have to have that discussion."
This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at [email protected]. Find outmore about him online in the Register's staff directory.
Des Moines RegisterSeveral Des Moines metro splash pads are shut down as the metro is under its first-ever lawn watering ban.Central Iowa Water Works — the Des Moines region's water authority — on June 12 banned its 600,000 commercial and residential customers from watering their lawns, effectiv...
Des Moines Register
Several Des Moines metro splash pads are shut down as the metro is under its first-ever lawn watering ban.
Central Iowa Water Works — the Des Moines region's water authority — on June 12 banned its 600,000 commercial and residential customers from watering their lawns, effective immediately and until further notice, as high levels of nitrate pollutants in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers threatened to outstrip its treatment capabilities.
Customers who repeatedly violate the ban could lose their water service, officials said.
CIWW also is asking for other water conservation methods, and many cities are pitching in by cutting irrigation and street cleaning and reducing watering at public golf courses.
Whether any particular public water feature in the metro closes or reduces its water usage will likely depend on its water source. Those fed by stormwater basins or that just re-circulate their water may not be affected by the watering ban, but those connected to municipal systems probably are.
Here's what we know about water features in the area.
All neighborhood splash pads are closed. The Prairie Ridge Splash Park 1220 N.W. Prairie Ridge Drive, will remain open because it re-circulates water.
Des Moines has shut off all its spraygrounds, splash pools and wading pools.
The city will keep four Des Moines pools open and will offer $1 entry for children ages 3 to 18 and $2 entry for adults until restrictions are lifted. More information is available at DSM.city/Aquatics.
The city's pool and splash pad are not affected. "At this time we aren’t decreasing pool hours of operation, but if conditions change we will absolutely reevaluate," Clive assistant manager and spokesperson Pete De Kock added in an email.
The Water Works Park splash pad is unaffected.
The splash pad at Johnston Town Center, 6425 Merle Hay Road, is closed until further notice.
The hours at Doanes Park splash pad, 4900 Doanes Park Road, are reduced in half to noon to 6 p.m. The splash pad does not run continuously, but it is activated by a button pushed by users during allowed hours.
The city has closed its splash pad at Lions Park at 72nd Street and Aurora Avenue.
The splash pad at Fox Creek Park is unaffected. But the splash pad at Westown Meadows Park, 2445 S.E. Willowbrook Drive, is closed because of the water conservation plan.
The sprayground at American Legion Park, 301 Vine St., is closed until further notice.
The city has shut down its splash pad at Colby Park, 6900 School St., to support CIWW, according to spokesperson Adam Strait.
Altoona is not part of Central Iowa Water Works. The water park at Adventureland is not affected by the restrictions.
877-292-2126
