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Commission directs staff to draft leak‑repair policy after leak detection shows substantial unmetered loss
Summary
After annual leak detection identified numerous customer‑side leaks and staff cited roughly 300 million gallons produced with about 10% loss (~30 million gallons), the Utilities Commission asked staff to draft an enforceable leaking‑service policy with timeframes and hardship provisions.
Brainerd City’s Utilities Commission on Oct. 28 directed staff to draft a formal leaking‑service policy after staff described recurring customer‑side leaks and significant unmetered water loss.
Operations staff said annual acoustic leak detection has identified a dozen or more leaking services in recent years, many on aging galvanized or lead lines between the curb stop and meter. ‘‘We’re looking in the range of what 300 million gallons we produce. So 10% of that’s 30 million,’’ one staff member said to illustrate the scale of production and leakage.
Staff asked the commission to set policy direction about notification procedures, acceptable repair timeframes and enforcement — options include financial assessment, tax‑role assessments for repairs, or shutting service off for immediate threats to life or property. Commissioners generally supported giving customers a defined period to repair lines and asked staff to incorporate hardship provisions and financing options.
Commissioners asked staff to return with a written policy proposal; several suggested 30 days as a starting remediation window but asked staff to include escalation and assistance pathways for customers with financial hardship.
Staff also noted a longer‑term lead‑service replacement program will reduce the frequency of these leaks, but until replacements occur commissioners signaled they want clearer enforcement paths and communications so losses are reduced and costly treated water is not wasted.
