Iowa communities will recognize water and wastewater professionals during Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week, Aug. 23-29, 2026, following a proclamation by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The annual observance, now in its 16th consecutive year, highlights the workers responsible for maintaining water quality, treating wastewater and protecting local waterways.

In Muscatine, the city’s water and wastewater operations include Muscatine Power and Water, which manages the public water supply, and the Muscatine Pollution Control Plant, which treats wastewater before its discharge to the Mississippi River.

The city said wastewater personnel operate treatment equipment, maintain collection infrastructure and respond to emergencies while managing wastewater from residential, commercial and industrial customers. The community’s water system draws from the Muscatine Island Aquifer and delivers more than 10 billion gallons of water annually.

The recognition week was established in 2011 under a proclamation by then-Gov. Terry Branstad. The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities and communities across the state continue to use the week to highlight the role of water and wastewater professionals in protecting public health and the environment.