Englewood renews $1 million on‑call waterline repair contract; staff say 31 breaks to date in 2025

The Englewood Water and Sewer Board approved renewal of an on‑call, not‑to‑exceed $1,000,000 contract with CNL for emergency and scheduled waterline repair services, staff said.

Peter (utility staff) and other presenters told the board the contract supplements the city’s distribution and collections crews during major or out‑of‑hours breaks. Utilities staff reported 31 water main breaks to date in 2025; staff noted the industry standard for a system Englewood’s size is roughly 40 breaks per year and said they expect the total to rise later in the year.

Staff said the contract is an “upper limit” availability contract; to date the city has spent about $310,000 against the million‑dollar ceiling. One large upcoming project (Union Avenue waterline replacement) was called out as a reason the city sought a $1 million on‑call cap; that project will also be included in a State Revolving Fund loan. Staff said the water/sewer split of project funding is approximately 70 percent water and 30 percent sewer for this multi‑service staffing allocation.

Board members asked how staff decide whether to use in‑house crews or call contractors. Staff said in‑house crews handle routine and daytime work; contractors are used for large breaks, repeated cascades of failures, or incidents outside normal hours when staff resources are exhausted. Staff also explained a screening process in which smaller leaks may be monitored overnight and repaired the next day rather than incurring premium after‑hours contractor costs.

A motion to approve agenda item 6B as written carried by voice vote.

Staff said the city has been acquiring additional system capabilities — for example insertion valves that can be installed on live lines — to reduce scenarios where a controlled, long‑running leak must be tolerated while parts are ordered.