[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6594956,"mediaKeyId","3045231-07f79f2cefe724d570e90a94dc612e67","parentId",3045231,"title","Waukesha Water Utility reports main-break work, Silvernail groundwater issues and new field tools","audioSeconds",332,"startMs",1029000,"endMs",1361000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045231-07f79f2cefe724d570e90a94dc612e67&start=1029&end=1361","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045231-07f79f2cefe724d570e90a94dc612e67/thumbnail_1029000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6594956/Waukesha-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Waukesha-Water-Utility-reports-main-break-work-Silvernail-groundwater-issues-and-new-field-tools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594956-0132b6b2f91941abaea4194925765376/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161765&Signature=CaxkDnoPdFzfWl6oCwws6~OcoNikbL765FUCCIAgV8fXwwX3O~ZlFZVDagHyNpc7-IpJWk-vy0BbOLbbx4Mkud-S9UEehnPtxHwnDjiBVrKnkmpmkZYvUMRtpMtC1r5PkmtblOoT06lFq921dth6hQpYD2eGoQPu-AG0HDyBfG6SPYVE0nQFuhRHwCZniD~QmpWfn3ByRphWFLSaYD68snyP-9FuVkYtQxdqqPVIpcDkvC8vYnlT1cyvWzuUF8pF3INp7XqVSACwU~MjxqFUZmvsBifwf-7MtwOfR-aPl38MGPL3LljdDho63ukrcejDOBnv4HEKNUKTSV1c69GmMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waukesha","date","2025-04-17T00:00:00Z","article","Utility staff updated the Waukesha Water Utility Commission on operations, distribution-system reliability and several ongoing projects during the April 17 meeting.

Staff said the number of main breaks and other distribution issues has declined since last year. The utility is continuing unidirectional flushing work in a southwest neighborhood to address red-water complaints ahead of scheduled construction. Staff noted some communities regionally have experienced higher break rates this year and discussed possible contributors including changes in pressure zones, dry conditions followed by heavy rain, and seasonal temperature variations.

The Silvernail Road realignment (city and county sections discussed separately in meeting remarks) is experiencing groundwater and dewatering challenges. Staff said the county section is built on high groundwater; dewatering pumps are removing water that quickly returns, delaying progress. The realignment requires relocating the utility's water main; staff said costs are expected to be a county share but noted the utility will coordinate on the relocation and temporary dead ends have been created that require flushing.

Staff described technology and procedural improvements: working with USIC and consultant Black & Veatch to resolve locating issues on water-supply and return-flow pump lines (Contract 2B/J. Lewis work), developing a new field app for main-break/issue recording in coordination with Mead & Hunt to improve data collection, and continuing a radio-replacement project for field communications (the new building was out to bid, with bids due May 6). Staff also said forklift and PPE recertifications were completed for operations staff and that newer staff completed personal-protective-equipment training.

On regulatory and administrative items, staff reported the Public Service Commission (PSC) Conservation Report was filed by the April 1 deadline; the regular PSC report and the Consumer Confidence Report are in progress. Staff also said a PSC ruling in a customer disconnection case (Mr. Fabick) concluded the PSC will not accept additional evidence and the matter now returns to circuit court; the case related to a disputed under-$100 bill.

Staff reported fleet coordination with the city: the city is buying two utility dump trucks at trade-in values so the city can use them without plows for hauling brush and other work. Financially, staff said March had about five fewer billing days than last year and that overall retail consumption is about 1.3% under budget for the year. The utility started the month with about $46.9 million in cash and ended around $46.7 million after debt and pilot payments.

Staff said they expect a change order related to a security allowance on a major project to come to the commission in May and that operations staff are finishing punch-list items and standard operating procedures for pipeline operations and maintenance. The commission had no action on these informational items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waukesha - Waukesha Water Commission on 2025-04-17 6:00 PM - Apr 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At an April 17 informational presentation utility staff reported fewer distribution incidents since earlier in the year, described groundwater complications at the Silvernail Road realignment, and outlined new field tools and projects including a main-break reporting app, radio replacement bids and ongoing PSC reporting.","taxTitle","Waukesha City, Waukesha County, Wisconsin","taxId",9326,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594961,"Waukesha Water Utility ratifies construction contracts, approves payments and Winterberry developer agreement",666,217000,883000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045231-07f79f2cefe724d570e90a94dc612e67&start=217&end=883","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045231-07f79f2cefe724d570e90a94dc612e67/thumbnail_217000.jpg","/articles/6594961/Waukesha-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Waukesha-Water-Utility-ratifies-construction-contracts-approves-payments-and-Winterberry-developer-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594961-b04cb9560a727a6b70fbc360456fee0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161765&Signature=bBDiXZpGefbt~ZGEsMzulAtoYWZ-d-PH0DomxaZW~ariDZqxn11PZwMNyMHX-mwht1QjwzQ8ixRm3JRx0kt-jzdKmB7Xt1RC8K7oIqIjPQbQPP7IOi7QLu3n26TeBGjVZwmRbqlsc1xbWR7yQVglfvJ8oF-wMDXGxFXrOSsFiJ8o-5LPRtASIXtTI-5NBz0oCbn2T2vEgtmFoFscXI8Iz9lAVDdlkM-3s8~T6AqgBfQ2qlbhAeH4Ib-saqAn5RqOzZz9b2QYBUH4JQ~yuKHzULbyRLVFEFDEqPGRAjye0AZ6CC9Twzh1K8QeL5UNMaDREFe2QLfZYivYYoYIuAua8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waukesha Water Utility Commission on April 17 approved several routine payments, ratified two water-main construction contracts, revised an easement with We Energies at Crestwood Pump Station and approved a developer's agreement for phase 1 of the Winterberry Reserve development.

The commission approved payments from the general and improvement funds that include loan and interest payments; commissioners noted the utility made its second of three $2,100,000 payments and that the utility makes an annual pilot payment to the City of Waukesha of $2,000,000.

Commissioners ratified the utility's portion of a City of Waukesha Public Works contract for the Gascoigne (also shown as Gascoyne in meeting papers) utility and street improvements. The water-utility share and the 1% city administration fee total $1,604,732.52. The staff memo said the city opened bids March 28; the low bidder was listed as Lalonde, with MJ Construction as the water-main subcontractor. The commission recorded the ratification after noting the project previously went before the Common Council for approval.

The commission also approved the water-main replacement contract and 1% city administration fee totaling $943,141.21 for the Green Meadow (Michigan to Summit) utility and street improvements with Wandel Contractors Inc. Staff said bids opened April 11 and that the project is limited to the water main on Green Meadow (Cascade Drive work was not included in the utility contract). The project estimate on staff materials was $1,155,000; the approved contract amount is below that estimate after the city administration fee was applied.

The commission approved a revision to a previously approved easement with We Energies at the Crestwood Pump Station site. Staff said We Energies proposed a redesigned alignment and a wider 12-foot easement to avoid a generator and lot lines; the revised instrument will be recorded in place of the previously approved 9-foot easement. Staff said the revised easement crosses an existing 1974 easement and will be recorded at no cost to the utility. One commissioner abstained on the easement vote because of a work-group conflict noted in the meeting.

The commission approved the developer's agreement for phase 1 of the Winterberry Reserve subdivision at no cost to the utility, subject to two contingencies: the developer receiving Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) water-supply approval and VH Winterberry Reserve LLC closing on the land purchase. Staff described the phase-1 scope as new 12-inch and 8-inch water mains that will eventually form a loop with existing mains; the work will serve single-family lots in the development.

All votes were taken by voice. Where the meeting record noted abstentions or other qualifiers, the actions above reflect those statements as recorded in the transcript.","At its April 17 meeting the Waukesha Water Utility Commission approved routine payments, ratified two water-main construction contracts, approved a revised easement with We Energies and approved a developer agreement for Winterberry Reserve phase 1 contingent on DNR approval and land closing.","actionData","errors"]

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Waukesha Water Utility reports main-break work, Silvernail groundwater issues and new field tools

Waukesha Water Utility ratifies construction contracts, approves payments and Winterberry developer agreement