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City to stop using copper flare fittings; to reimburse homeowners for 2025 repairs
Summary
City officials proposed discontinuing copper flare fittings, authorizing city crews to repair leaking fittings at city expense and offering a 90-day reimbursement window for qualifying 2025 repairs; staff estimated roughly 65 affected properties and preliminary costs of about $222,400 for repairs and up to $180,000 in waived sewer charges.
The director announced that the city will discontinue the use of copper flare fittings and instructed city crews to make necessary repairs at city expense when failures are detected, and proposed that the City Council reimburse homeowners for qualifying repairs made during calendar year 2025.
"On or around November 3, I made a decision to discontinue the city policy on the use of what is commonly referred to as copper flare fitting," the director said, adding that he instructed employees on Nov. 17, 2025, to begin repairs and that he would ask the council to authorize reimbursements and sewer-bill adjustments at the next meeting.
Why it matters: staff estimate roughly 65 to 68 of the city's approximately 100 leaks in 2025 involve these fittings — about 2% of the city’s roughly 5,000 residential meters — and the director gave preliminary cost estimates and an implementation plan. He said homeowners would have 90 days to apply for reimbursement with paid receipts and supporting documentation, and that sewer-charge adjustments would be handled by the collector’s office.
The city outlined an audit and approval workflow for reimbursements: initial review by the Department of Public Works (handled by JR or Nate), then review by the budget/collector’s office, and final sign-off by the director. "It will take three levels of authorization ... we need a complete paper trail for the auditors," the director said.
Staff provided preliminary budget figures tied to the plan: about $222,400 for repairs and roughly $180,000 or less in waived sewer charges, with repair costs expected to come from the water fund and sewer adjustments from the sewer fund. The director said the existing budget line for waiving sewer fees will be exceeded by this program.
Staff and the director emphasized the distinction between sewer-fee waivers and water charges. The city said it will continue its practice of waiving excess sewer charges when water did not enter the sewer system, but it does not have a practice of waiving water charges and expects homeowners to pay for metered water that passed through their meters.
On causes, the director said city consultants and peer municipalities that have removed copper flare fittings did not attribute the spike in leaks to the new water source or pressure changes; instead, staff listed possible causes including seasonal ground movement, installer issues or worn devices. A staff member added that some municipalities had discussed removing these fittings years earlier and that updated construction details and ordinances will likely be needed.
The director said staff will begin notifying known affected property owners immediately and will accept applications for reimbursement for repairs made during calendar year 2025. Applicants will be required to provide paid, itemized receipts and other supporting documentation; the city said assistance will be available for residents who need help completing forms.
A council member formally recommended proceeding with the discontinuation and reimbursement plan; another member seconded the recommendation and the presiding member called for a voice vote that was recorded as "aye" by those present, approving the recommendation to implement the plan. The meeting then moved to adjournment.
Next steps: staff will notify affected customers, finalize construction details, and propose any necessary ordinance updates to prevent future use of flare fittings. The director said the city will track reimbursements separately for auditing purposes.
