Water Works Head Resigns Abruptly to 'Pursue Other Opportunities'

After eight years in charge of the West Des Moines Water Works, General Manager Jerry Stevens resigned Wednesday.

The waterworks board of trustees voted to accept Stevens’ resignation during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon, according to the Des Moines Register.

Bill Garrett, the waterworks assistant general manager, will run the utility while a search is conducted for a new leader.

The Register reports the utility is investigating the operability of a new water tower along 88th Street in West Des Moines. Waterworks employees have questioned whether the water tower is tall enough to provide adequate water pressure to customers.

The city has not used the water tower since it was completed two years ago because the demand for water has not grown at the pace expected, the newspaper said.

Stanley Consultants have been hired to assess the tower and its service area.

Stevens said he has appreciated the chance to serve as the agency’s leader and is looking forward to new opportunities in the future, but he did not elaborate on why he is quitting.

When the Register asked if the board had requested Stevens' resignation, vice chairman Brian Rickert said: “He submitted his resignation and we accepted it today.”

Stevens served as president of the American Water Works Association in 2011-12. Rickert told the Register Stevens had other opportunities to pursue based on his year leading that group.