Des Moines Water works’ 2013 budget includes no rate increases for its customers within the city of Des Moines and its wholesale water customers, but Pleasant Hill and some surrounding rural areas it serves are proposed to increase  due to greater infrastructure needs.  

Bill Stowe, Water Works CEO and general manager, said the zero-rate increase was an effort by the utility’s board to help customers during tough economic times. However, that’s unlikely to be repeated in 2014 due to infrastructure needs, he said.

A  public hearing on the 2013 budget will be held Nov.  27 at 3:30 p.m. at Des Moines Water Works, 2201 George Flagg Parkway.