Murphy staff report city’s water loss at about 19% and plan service‑line replacements

Mister Reese, presenting the city’s water‑loss update, said the Hawthorne Pump Station pumped about 1,487,000,000 gallons in 2024 and the total accounted‑for consumption was about 1,200,000,000 gallons, leaving roughly 285,000,000 gallons — or about 19 percent — unaccounted for.

Reese told council that measurement practices varied in earlier years and that a change to the Texas Water Development Board method produced more consistent results. He said the board’s acceptable benchmark is roughly 15 percent and that September’s unaccounted loss was measured at about 9 percent, calling that “the gold standard.”

Reese reviewed leak counts: 54 leaks in 2023, 51 in 2024, and 31 reported as of Sept. 30 of the reporting year (with three additional reports pending), and said staff expect to find many pinhole leaks when they replace about 5,350 remaining copper service lines with high‑density polyethylene (HDPE). He described the replacement project as currently in design, with advertising for bids expected in February and construction starting roughly within 90 days after that advertising.

Council members and staff discussed detection methods, including Neptune 360 software to flag anomalous meter data, reactive leak response targets (investigation within 24 hours and repair within 48 hours depending on severity), and the limits and cost of pressure testing or acoustic/doppler detection on mains. Reese recommended quarterly water‑loss updates to the council; several members agreed.

Next steps recorded in the presentation: continue leak detection and repairs, proceed with design/specifications for the HDPE service‑line replacement, advertise the project in February, and provide quarterly progress reports to council.