Water/Waste Water Division


The public works facility also houses the water/sewer maintenance division. When you turn on the water, this division assures that you receive safe drinking water. Likewise, when you use the washing machine or wash the dishes, this division is responsible for the handling of the waste water. The six employees and superintendent in the division maintain the entire necessary infrastructure related to water distribution and sanitary sewage collection. The Water/Waste Water Division also provides utility locating service for city-owned buried utilities and contract management for related improvements.

There are seven employees and a water analyst in the Water/Wastewater Division.

Shane Kinsey – Water/Wastewater Analyst

  • Denny Messenger-Crew Leader
  • Grant Selby
  • Brandon Mellencamp
  • Michael Gaskins
  • Brady Lafollette
  • Brandon Hackbarth
  • Chris Downing
  • Tyler Huls

The Department also has an Asset Management Coordinator/GIS Technician

  • Tyler Danielson

Water/Wastewater service provided by the city is essential for maintaining the quality of life residents of the city expect. Water/Wastewater department staff members pride themselves on assisting the community in maintaining the quality of life that residents enjoy. Water/Wastewater department staff responds to calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It is the Water Department’s mission to maintain and improve the City’s water distribution system to ensure high quality and dependability. The Water Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City's approximately 152.5 miles of water mains, 1,675 water main valves, 5 pump stations, 1,974 fire hydrants and 1,675 water valves and water meters.

Sanitary sewer systems improve residents’ quality of life by providing a mechanism to remove waste that is generated by the community. By removing waste water it improves the health and overall appearance of the community. Johnston has approximately 81 miles of publicly owned sanitary sewer the sewer department is responsible for maintaining. Tasks completed by the department include cleaning sewer mains, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) inspections of the sanitary sewer system, inspecting manholes, repairing manholes, maintaining pumps, repairing a damaged sewer main, and various other duties.

The city is also a member of the Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA). The WRA is a regional sewer authority that is responsible for the treatment of wastewater that is created in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area. The wastewater that is generated by the city is transmitted to Des Moines to be treated at the Wastewater Reclamation Facility."