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Resident warns council that decade-long water loss may be driving higher rates
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Summary
At the Jan. 6 Murphy City Council meeting, resident Maynard Little said the city has suffered 20–30% water loss for more than a decade, estimated to cost ratepayers about $1,000,000 a year, and urged the council to prioritize replacing older distribution lines and involve residents in solutions.
Maynard Little, a resident at 1004 Saint Mark Drive, told the Murphy City Council on Jan. 6 that the city has experienced persistent water loss of roughly 20%–30% over more than a decade and said that lost volume has been covered by higher rates.
Little said two ordinances passed in 2014 and 2019 set an expected system loss at about 12% or less, but that actual loss has consistently exceeded that level and “culminated in 2023 close to 30%,” costing ratepayers “an added $1,000,000 per year.” He suggested probable causes include aging leaks, faulty meters and, less likely, theft, and he urged the city to prioritize replacing older service lines in the oldest neighborhoods.
Why it matters: Little framed the water loss as a direct driver of higher rates for customers and urged greater transparency and resident involvement when persistent problems arise. He recommended that the council solicit local expertise — including soil, geotechnical and foundation professionals — to target likely leak locations and accelerate replacement of at‑risk lines.
City response: During the meeting a council member asked staff when construction would start to update water feeds; staff replied the project had not yet been advertised for bid. The council did not take action on the matter at this meeting.
Next steps: Little asked that the city publicly announce problems and consult residents and professionals to develop a prompt remediation plan. Councilmembers did not set a specific follow-up date during the Jan. 6 meeting.
