City begins flow metering and smoke testing at Wells Drive lift station as part of sewer plan

Madison city officials reported that the Board of Public Works authorized the start of flow metering and smoke testing at the Wells Drive Lift Station to identify inflows and infiltration issues affecting wastewater collection.

The mayor told council that the work began with board approval and that the testing will run over the next 12 months. Results will be used to complete a comprehensive sewer plan and to evaluate investments needed across the city’s wastewater network, which officials said includes roughly 80 to 100 lift stations.

The mayor described the testing as the first step in a long-term program that follows earlier work tied to a court-ordered long-term control agreement. He said the city previously raised rates and began investments around 2017 but still has unfinished projects requiring further capital spending. "This testing... over the course of the next 12 months, will lead to another comprehensive plan with regard to our sewer infrastructure," he said.

City staff did not provide a final dollar figure for the required investments at the meeting; the mayor said the work represents another "multimillion dollar investment" but did not specify an amount or schedule for capital projects. Council and staff indicated further planning and budget decisions will follow once the testing and plan are complete.

The Board of Public Works took the approval action at its recent meeting; the City Council was briefed by the mayor as part of his report to the council.