DPW reports 20% unaccounted water; committee to study smart meters and Fisher loop

DPW Superintendent Bill Cundiff told the Select Board and advisory members that Southborough currently has about 20% unaccounted water—roughly double a typical community’s loss—and that the town plans a year‑one exploration ($70,000) of smart residential meters to identify leaks and gain network monitoring.

"A normal community has about 10 of their water that's unaccounted for throughout the year. We're at about 20%, which is astronomical," Cundiff said, explaining the motivation for a smart‑meter feasibility study. He said if the year‑one study shows viability, the town would plan deployment in year two.

Cundiff also described the Fisher–Presidential loop—long discussed in capital plans—as a project to improve water quality by looping two dead‑end pipes; the town would pursue an MWRA loan that carries 0% interest over 10 years to finance the construction. Select Board members noted Hopkinton’s tentative IMA and an expected $1 million contribution that had been discussed previously, but staff reminded members that no contract is signed and that those funds should not be assumed.

No construction authorization was approved; staff recommended further study and cost‑benefit analysis prior to bringing a warrant article for financing.