Council OKs $635,564.85 cooperative purchase of truck‑mounted hydro excavator for public works

The Lake Havasu City Council on Tuesday approved a cooperative purchase of a 2026 Western Star 47x truck‑mounted hydro excavator from Arizona Wastewater Industries for $635,564.85. Public Works presenter Mister Young said the hydro‑excavation truck uses pressurized water (about 2,000 PSI) and a vacuum system to loosen and remove soil around underground utilities, reducing the risk of damaging live gas, electrical and water lines compared with mechanical excavation. Young said the vehicle is especially suitable for the city's rocky soils and that the city has previously damaged equipment when using older vacuum trucks designed primarily for liquids. "This truck provides us that ability to do it and do it safely," Young said, and moved the purchase as budgeted in the FY‑26 capital plan. Councilmember Jim Dolan made the motion and Councilmember Cameron Moses seconded; the motion passed 6–0. Staff said the cooperative procurement was preapproved in the FY‑26 budget and that the vehicle will be used across public works and utilities operations to reduce utility strikes and improve excavation precision.