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Waukesha Water Utility reports main-break work, Silvernail groundwater issues and new field tools
Summary
At an April 17 informational presentation utility staff reported fewer distribution incidents since earlier in the year, described groundwater complications at the Silvernail Road realignment, and outlined new field tools and projects including a main-break reporting app, radio replacement bids and ongoing PSC reporting.
Utility staff updated the Waukesha Water Utility Commission on operations, distribution-system reliability and several ongoing projects during the April 17 meeting.
Staff said the number of main breaks and other distribution issues has declined since last year. The utility is continuing unidirectional flushing work in a southwest neighborhood to address red-water complaints ahead of scheduled construction. Staff noted some communities regionally have experienced higher break rates this year and discussed possible contributors including changes in pressure zones, dry conditions followed by heavy rain, and seasonal temperature variations.
The Silvernail Road realignment (city and county sections discussed separately in meeting remarks) is experiencing groundwater and dewatering challenges. Staff said the county section is built on high groundwater; dewatering pumps are removing water that quickly returns, delaying progress. The realignment requires relocating the utility's water main; staff said costs are expected to be a county share but noted the utility will coordinate on the relocation and temporary dead ends have been created that require flushing.
Staff described technology and procedural improvements: working with USIC and consultant Black & Veatch to resolve locating issues on water-supply and return-flow pump lines (Contract 2B/J. Lewis work), developing a new field app for main-break/issue recording in coordination with Mead & Hunt to improve data collection, and continuing a radio-replacement project for field communications (the new building was out to bid, with bids due May 6). Staff also said forklift and PPE recertifications were completed for operations staff and that newer staff completed personal-protective-equipment training.
On regulatory and administrative items, staff reported the Public Service Commission (PSC) Conservation Report was filed by the April 1 deadline; the regular PSC report and the Consumer Confidence Report are in progress. Staff also said a PSC ruling in a customer disconnection case (Mr. Fabick) concluded the PSC will not accept additional evidence and the matter now returns to circuit court; the case related to a disputed under-$100 bill.
Staff reported fleet coordination with the city: the city is buying two utility dump trucks at trade-in values so the city can use them without plows for hauling brush and other work. Financially, staff said March had about five fewer billing days than last year and that overall retail consumption is about 1.3% under budget for the year. The utility started the month with about $46.9 million in cash and ended around $46.7 million after debt and pilot payments.
Staff said they expect a change order related to a security allowance on a major project to come to the commission in May and that operations staff are finishing punch-list items and standard operating procedures for pipeline operations and maintenance. The commission had no action on these informational items.
