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Riverton council OKs $46,500 contract for satellite-based water leak detection
Summary
Council approved a consultant agreement with Astera USA to conduct a leak-detection survey using satellite and acoustic methods. Staff cited a 2023 study estimating 15'20% unmetered water loss and said the work is budgeted in FY26.
The Riverton City Council approved a $46,500 consultant agreement July 1 with Astera USA to perform a satellite-based leak-detection survey of the municipal water system.
Public Works Director Toman told the council the city budgeted $47,000 for the study in the FY26 capital plan. He said a 2023 level-1 study estimated unmetered water loss in the Riverton system in the range of 15 to 20 percent. Toman described Astera's technology as a two-step process: satellite/radar passes that detect subsurface water signatures (to as deep as about 10 feet) and follow-up conventional acoustic methods to localize leaks.
"They can go down to 10 feet below the surface . . . the leak detection technology can pair down where these leaks might be, and then you can use, conventional, acoustic, technology to find where leaks are in our waterline," Toman said. He added the survey will include two satellite passes and is safe for people and animals.
Councilman Kyle Larson moved to approve the agreement; Councilwoman Karen Johnson seconded. Council members made light comments about coordinating with property owners to remove abandoned vehicles or obstructions to improve survey coverage. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff said Riverton would be the second community in Wyoming to use the technology and that other mountain communities and resort towns have used similar services. City staff will report back with survey results and proposed repair priorities.
