Des Moines Water Works sees over 40 water main breaks so far this year
Des Moines Water Works says it’s dealt with 45 water main breaks in less than two months in 2026. Thirty were in January, and ten were in February as of Friday. “It’s not unique to Des Moines,” said Andy Beals, DMWW’s water distribution supervisor. “This is a problem throughout the nation, especially in cold cities.” Des Moines isn’t alone, either. Other breaks have been reported in Ames, Clive and Johnston. Beals attributes it to the below-freezing temperatures seen throughout January.”That cold water will hit that warm cast iron that’s about six feet deep and will cause that cast iron to crack. The other big one would be frost. So, when the frost dives down into that soil, it’s gonna cause whatever’s in the soil to move,” Beals said. It’s not just large systems that can be impacted.Steve Terry of Bell Brothers Plumbing said they also saw an uptick in calls for systems within individual homes and businesses.”The fact that we were able to get down into that temperature range just, you know, exposes some of those, those weaknesses, some of those breaks could have been a compromised valve or pipe that was, you know, maybe already leaking a little bit,” he said.While it may seem like a lot of breaks happened all at once, both Beals and Terry say this year hasn’t been out of the ordinary.But the season isn’t over yet. “We assume we’re going to have about 40 in January and then another 40 in January in February,” Beals said.If you do see a crew out repairing a broken main, it’s imperative to stay away and follow any signs or directions posted. And you can help keep your own pipes safe by keeping water flowing, increasing warm air flow around your pipes by opening doors or cabinets, and having them inspected regularly.
Des Moines Water Works says it’s dealt with 45 water main breaks in less than two months in 2026.
Thirty were in January, and ten were in February as of Friday.
“It’s not unique to Des Moines,” said Andy Beals, DMWW’s water distribution supervisor. “This is a problem throughout the nation, especially in cold cities.”
Des Moines isn’t alone, either. Other breaks have been reported in Ames, Clive and Johnston. Beals attributes it to the below-freezing temperatures seen throughout January.
“That cold water will hit that warm cast iron that’s about six feet deep and will cause that cast iron to crack. The other big one would be frost. So, when the frost dives down into that soil, it’s gonna cause whatever’s in the soil to move,” Beals said.
It’s not just large systems that can be impacted.
Steve Terry of Bell Brothers Plumbing said they also saw an uptick in calls for systems within individual homes and businesses.
“The fact that we were able to get down into that temperature range just, you know, exposes some of those, those weaknesses, some of those breaks could have been a compromised valve or pipe that was, you know, maybe already leaking a little bit,” he said.
While it may seem like a lot of breaks happened all at once, both Beals and Terry say this year hasn’t been out of the ordinary.
But the season isn’t over yet.
“We assume we’re going to have about 40 in January and then another 40 in January in February,” Beals said.
If you do see a crew out repairing a broken main, it’s imperative to stay away and follow any signs or directions posted.
And you can help keep your own pipes safe by keeping water flowing, increasing warm air flow around your pipes by opening doors or cabinets, and having them inspected regularly.