Lincoln Park council hires leak‑detection firm as city proceeds with 14,000‑meter replacement
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Summary
The City Council authorized an outside acoustic leak‑detection contract not to exceed $119,500 and described ongoing meter replacements and $35 million in recent system investments as officials and residents urged greater transparency on water billing.
Lincoln Park — The City Council on Feb. 9 authorized an outside firm to perform acoustic leak detection across the city, a step officials said is necessary to address years of water loss while the city installs new meters.
Mayor Tobin and water department staff told the council the city has suffered water losses exceeding 40 percent and is in the process of replacing more than 14,000 aging meters so residents can monitor usage with a phone app. The council authorized Alfred Benish/Banash (vendor name varies in the meeting record) to perform leak detection for a cost not to exceed $119,500 from account 592-920-818000.
Why it matters: Council and staff framed the contract as part of a multi-pronged strategy to reduce lost water and correct billing errors. City leaders said last year’s capital investments of $35,000,000 targeted mains, pump stations and basins, and the meter program will allow staff and residents to spot leaks and abnormal usage sooner.
Staff presentation: Eric Tucker, representing the contractor, described acoustic leak detection as a proven technique that can rapidly narrow a leak’s location, often within about 10 feet, and said crews work in pairs for safety. "With water losses on the order of 40 or even more percent, it's highly unlikely that this total loss is due just to the apparent losses," Tucker told the council, arguing the system likely has blind leaks and physical infrastructure loss that city crews have been unable to find.
Council questions and staff response: Councilmembers asked whether the city’s existing equipment could be fully used instead of hiring an outside vendor. City staff said HydroCorp and city crews already are installing new meters, and the vendor will both use its equipment and train city technicians to corroborate findings. City Manager Lisa Griggs reported that HydroCorp had installed 246 meters with 116 additional appointments scheduled and that city crews had installed roughly 100 meters to date.
Public concern and context: Residents used the Citizens Communications portion of the meeting to press for faster fixes and greater transparency. "You guys don't make it handicapped accessible," said Timothy Price, who also described multiple driveway and curb repairs near his home following water work and asked for a meter inspection. Tricia Cross, who submitted signatures from neighbors, asked for plain-English breakdowns of revenues and expenditures tied to water and sewer work and urged the city to use meter technology and local hiring before outsourcing.
What the vote did: The council approved the leak‑detection contract in a roll-call vote after discussion; Councilpersons Salcedo and Zohr were recorded as voting no. Officials said the work could begin in March and take about three months, and that the vendor would provide training to city staff to improve long‑term in-house capability.
What’s next: Staff and council members said the meter installs and leak detection are complementary steps; staff will continue meter rollouts by district, finish required FCC licensing for read towers, and return with progress updates. Residents with abnormal or estimated bills were urged to contact the water department to request an on-site meter read and adjustment if warranted.
