Wastewater
All of the wastewater generated in the City of Ankeny is treated by the Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) at their facility in Des Moines. The Wastewater Utility is responsible for conveying the liquid and solid wastes from your homes and businesses to the WRA's treatment facility. The treated water is then released into the Des Moines River. City staff maintains the collection system and operates the lift stations.
For more information about the wastewater treatment process, please visit the Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) website.
Routine Sewer Cleaning
The Wastewater Utility has a routine cleaning program for the sanitary sewers. We use a pressurized water jet and vacuum system to clean the City's sanitary sewer pipes. By spraying high-pressure water at the inside of the sanitary pipes we can remove grease, sediment, scale build-up, and in most cases, tree roots that have infiltrated the pipe walls. By keeping the pipes clean we reduce the possibility of a sewer back-up into private service lines that could cause slow drains or even a sewage back-up into homes or businesses. If we are cleaning the sanitary sewer pipes in your area we place a green tag on your door. It is possible that the tags do not stay on your door from wind or other unforeseen reasons.
Routine Sewer Televising
To augment the sewer cleaning program we have a camera that moves through the sewers on a robotic crawler. We use this to inspect the inside of the sewer pipes to check on the pipe conditions such as cracks, roots, or other defaults. It is also a great way to see how well we are cleaning the sewers. Sometimes while televising we will GPS City infrastructures in the work zone.
Manholes, Sinkholes & Storm Intake Grates
Manholes are an opening to an underground utility. If you observe a manhole that is sunken down, sticking up, or has a rattling lid please call Polk County Dispatch at 515-286-3333.
Sinkholes are a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer. There are many causes of sinkholes that are both natural and manmade. Most commonly, sinkholes that occur in urban areas are due to water main breaks, collapsed sewers, or improperly compacted soil after an excavation. If you see a sinkhole in your yard please call Polk County Dispatch at 515-286-3333.
Storm Intake Grates are located in the streets to collect water runoff from storms. Sometimes debris from yards and streets can block a storm grate and prevent it from properly draining. If you see a blocked storm grate or a storm grate that is broken or missing please call Polk County Dispatch at 515-286-3333.
Sometimes with heavy rains, the sewer systems will become inundated and flood the streets. Never drive or walk into a flooded street. If you drive onto a flooded street, "Turn around, don't drown" is the saying. Keep all children out of floodwaters. Usually once the rain stops, the sewers will "catch up" and water will drain away. If you come across a flooded street call Polk County Dispatch at 515-286-3333.