The Board of Public Works and Capital Assets on Nov. 11 approved the Oak Creek Water & Sewer Utility's 2026 capital budget, funding a mix of equipment purchases, system upgrades and projects-in-progress while staff outlined an intake-cleaning inspection that could trigger additional repairs and environmental permitting.

Mike, a utility staff presenter, told the board the budget package includes funding to preserve options for a fixed-network meter-reading system, additional distribution and treatment equipment, and a number of capital projects carried over from prior years. "We're not saying spend it; we're saying let's reserve this so that when we do our meter evaluation... we'll have this money to do the fixed network side of it," Mike said.

Why it matters: the budget sets aside resources for projects that affect drinking-water operations and system reliability, including a proposed replacement strategy for aging meters, hydrant sandblasting on salt-affected roads, targeted sewer rehabilitation and possible work on intake infrastructure that staff said is showing evidence of leaks and clogging.

Key budget items and context
- Metering and fixed network: staff explained Oak Creek has about 9,000 meters. A cellular endpoint approach would carry roughly a $1-per-meter-per-month recurring cost; the budget reserves money for fixed-network infrastructure (radios/towers) to keep options open if a different meter vendor is selected. Staff said current annual residential meter replacement is roughly $160,000; larger 1.5"/2" meter replacements were added this cycle (about $260,000).
- Hydrant refinishing: staff proposed contracting sandblasting/refinishing for hydrants on major roads; the presentation noted roughly $2,025,000 remained from 2025 that staff plan to combine with 2026 funds and rebid as a larger contract.
- Sewer rehabilitation and mains: ongoing lining and spot repairs continue; historical annual spending was around $750,000, but the volume of needed work has declined as worse sections were addressed. A specific East Marquette Avenue relay of about 1,400 feet of 6-inch to 8-inch pipe was discussed for construction next summer.
- Projects in progress and cash flow: staff reported projects-in-progress totaling about $28,000,000 and new projects of about $5,000,000; the water side had an uncommitted portion reported at about $235,000, with shore-side funds near $5.5 million in reported balances.

Intake cleaning findings and next steps
Staff presented photos and video from an intake-cleaning contractor and diver operations. The diver found failed O-rings at a transition in an intake connection and visible sediment plumes during cleaning. "The diver said 9 feet," Mike said when the board asked about depth at the repair location; staff described the main leak area as roughly 160 feet offshore and a short section (about 2.5 feet) that needs replacement of a coupling.

More concerning, staff said, is that the larger 60-inch intake appears partially clogged: "They suggested that 60 is more than 50% clogged," Mike told the board, and he said cleaning that larger intake likely would be significantly more expensive than the small repair'staff estimated the 60-inch work could approach $1,000,000. The board discussed timing concerns because a nearby laydown area north of the intake may be converted to a park, which could complicate staging for major repair work.

Regulatory and environmental notes
Staff said the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) raised questions about the intake-cleaning plume and requested permits for some aspects of the work; the utility will coordinate with the DNR to determine whether routine backflushing or more extensive actions require authorization. The board also discussed particle counts and turbidity measurements as additional indicators staff may deploy to monitor water quality changes.

Board direction and implementation
The board approved the capital budget and did not take separate action on individual listed line items; staff were directed to continue investigations into the intake conditions, pursue necessary DNR permits if backflushing or cleaning will be performed, and return with more detailed scopes and cost estimates for any larger intake rehabilitation.

The utility will also proceed with preserving funds for metering infrastructure, continue planned replacements of pumps, generators and lab equipment, and prioritize projects-in-progress pending contract closeouts and available cash flow. Staff noted a formal risk-and-resiliency update is due this year, which will inform the emergency response plan timeline.