Clarkdale council approves purchase of hydrovac excavator to meet lead service‑line inventory requirements
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The Town Council authorized the purchase of a Vermeer hydro vacuum excavator and associated equipment not to exceed $120,000 to support the utilities department's lead service‑line inventory work and other maintenance tasks.
Utilities staff explained that revisions to the federal Lead and Copper Rule require water systems to identify service‑line materials and that the town has roughly 800–900 services requiring on‑site verification. The excavator allows soft‑digging near meters and homes — within 18 inches of each side of the water service meter and within 18 inches of the house — while reducing the risk of damaging adjacent utilities and minimizing yard disruption, staff said.
Utilities Director Josh (first name used in council remarks) told the council the hydrovac will also be used for water and wastewater repairs, potholing to locate utilities, vault cleaning and valve maintenance. Staff estimated inventory work at two to three hours per service and said the hydrovac will reduce contractor costs and accelerate work compared with hand digging or repeated contract mobilizations.
Staff said the purchase would use a Sourcewell cooperative contract and be funded from the town's capital and lead‑and‑copper‑rule compliance budgets; the town will forego a planned vehicle replacement to prioritize the hydrovac purchase.
Council Member Jones moved to approve the purchase and the motion passed by voice vote; the motion authorized the town manager to execute documents necessary for the purchase and capped the expenditure at $120,000.
Utilities staff explained that revisions to the federal Lead and Copper Rule require water systems to identify service‑line materials and that the town has roughly 800–900 services requiring on‑site verification. The excavator allows soft‑digging near meters and homes — within 18 inches of each side of the water service meter and within 18 inches of the house — while reducing the risk of damaging adjacent utilities and minimizing yard disruption, staff said.
Utilities Director Josh (first name used in council remarks) told the council the hydrovac will also be used for water and wastewater repairs, potholing to locate utilities, vault cleaning and valve maintenance. Staff estimated inventory work at two to three hours per service and said the hydrovac will reduce contractor costs and accelerate work compared with hand digging or repeated contract mobilizations.
Staff said the purchase would use a Sourcewell cooperative contract and be funded from the town's capital and lead‑and‑copper‑rule compliance budgets; the town will forego a planned vehicle replacement to prioritize the hydrovac purchase.
Council Member Jones moved to approve the purchase and the motion passed by voice vote; the motion authorized the town manager to execute documents necessary for the purchase and capped the expenditure at $120,000.
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