West Bend to award $1.11 million contract to replace private lead service laterals using county ARPA funds

The Common Council approved awarding contract 2608 to Essential Sewer & Water Services to replace private lead service laterals across the city, the council heard Tuesday.

Max, a public works staff member, told the council bids opened May 8 and recommended “awarding to Essential Sewer and Water Services their combination of base bid and alternate one for $1,111,375,” with roughly a 6% contingency. He said the county had reimbursed the city for an earlier lateral-replacement program at the originally estimated amount, leaving a surplus that must be expended under the county funding timeline.

Why it matters: Lead service laterals can be a public-health risk; the city said using the surplus county ARPA funds lets it expand replacement work without increasing the city’s long-term budget burden. Staff said the county money must be spent by Dec. 31 of this year, which shaped the timing for the contract.

Details: Max said the base bid covers 71 lateral replacements and alternate one would add 14 more, for a total of 85 laterals under the recommended award. Funding for the contract will include the county ARPA reimbursement, supplemented by water utility funds and engineering budgeted funds to pay for contract inspection.

Council process and vote: Council members asked staff to confirm paperwork and public-safety signoffs; the clerk and police confirmed the files were in order. The council approved the recommendation by voice vote.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the contract documents and proceed with procurement and oversight. The city said typical contract contingencies and inspection oversight will apply.