Marshalltown Water Works is joining communities across North America in celebrating Drinking Water Week, May 3-9, 2026. Led by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the annual observance highlights the importance of safe, reliable drinking water and recognizes the tireless efforts of water professionals who keep it flowing around the clock.

As communities across the country recognize Drinking Water Week, Marshalltown Water Works is also celebrating a major milestone of its own: 150 years of providing safe, reliable drinking water to Marshalltown and surrounding communities.

Since 1876, Marshalltown Water Works has grown into a modern utility that serves more than 10,000 customer connections and supplies water to neighboring areas through a wholesale agreement with IRUA. The system includes nearly 162 miles of water main, more than 1,000 fire hydrants, and approximately 2,000 valves, all maintained by a dedicated team of nearly 30 employees.

On an average day, the utility treats close to 7 million gallons of water, with peak days reaching 11 million gallons. This capacity ensures that homes, businesses, industries, and emergency services have the water they need every day of the year.

Marshalltown Water Works is also investing heavily in the future of the community’s water system. One of the largest projects in its history — a new 6-million-gallon-per-day Reverse Osmosis (RO) treatment plant — is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2028. The RO expansion will enhance water quality, increase treatment capacity, and support long-term community growth.

In addition to the RO project, crews are finishing the West High Street water main replacement this year. Once complete, the project will have replaced a half-mile of aging water main, improving reliability and reducing the risk of breaks in that corridor.

The utility is also nearing completion of a multi-year meter replacement project. The new meters allow for drive-by readings and are designed to be upgraded to full Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in the future. AMI technology provides real-time data that can help reduce water loss, improve leak detection, and give customers better insight into their water use.

As Marshalltown Water Works reflects on its 150-year history, the utility remains committed to the values that have guided it from the beginning. We are dedicated to customer service, water quality, and system dependability. Our staff works around the clock to ensure that our customers receive high-quality, reliable, and affordable drinking water every day of the year.

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Zach Maxfield is the general manager of

Marshalltown Water Works.