Laurel Public Works notes water use has nearly doubled since 2015; hydrant repair, road overlays remain on radar

City of Laurel Public Works Director Matt Wheeler told the committee on Feb. 9 that the city’s water production has grown from roughly 750 million gallons in 2015 to about 1.4 billion gallons in 2025, and that high-use days can place a slight strain on the system.

Wheeler presented the figures during the committee’s review of routine operations. He said the city is currently able to produce the required water volumes but noted that peaks in demand create operational stress. The minutes do not record proposed operational changes or new restrictions; staff indicated monitoring and routine maintenance remain priorities.

The committee also received an update on a fire hydrant adjacent to the middle school. The hydrant was repaired after a broken line last winter, but the crosswalk area around the hydrant continues to puddle and produce standing water. Wheeler said a repair contract exists but has not been completed; the committee asked that the item remain on future agendas so staff track progress.

Members raised road-maintenance priorities and discussed possible overlays similar to a recent south-side project. The committee specifically called out W. 7th Street by Town Pump and roads around the old middle school as candidates for future work.

Operational attachments included an emergency overtime callout list and a brief log of January incidents (for example: 1-21 water turn-on on 9th Ave; 1-22 lift station issues; 1-24 a water break). The attachments were provided as informational material in the packet and were not the subject of a formal vote.

What’s next: staff will keep the hydrant repair and pavement priorities on the committee’s radar and will continue to monitor water production trends as KLJ and other consultants pursue funding and design work for larger repairs and capacity projects.