Poestenkill board authorizes up to $6,000 for additional leak‑detection sensors after manager reports large unaccounted losses

Poestenkill — The town board authorized up to $6,000 for 20 additional leak‑detection sensors after the water manager said the town’s system is losing tens of thousands of gallons per day.

The water manager (Keith) told the board that when he took over the system it was using about 140,000 gallons per day but analysis showed unaccounted losses near 60,000 gallons per day. “We were losing about 60,000 gallons a day in the ground,” Keith said, adding that a pilot sensor program and hydrant listening identified a leak on Main Street that he estimated at about 30,000 gallons per day.

Board members discussed options for locating other leaks and the procurement approach for additional sensors. The manager said the pilot used 20 sensors since June and that an additional 20 would bring the town’s inventory to 40; the sensors would remain town property and be usable for five years. Proponents argued that spending up to $6,000 now could quickly identify leaks and reduce annual water‑purchase costs the board estimated in discussion could exceed $72,000 a year if the leaks persist.

Motion and vote: A board member moved to authorize the water manager to purchase an additional set of 20 sensors for up to $6,000; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call (unanimous affirmative responses recorded).

Why it matters: The town’s consultant and staff presented the purchase as a cost‑effective intervention to find and repair leaks that were driving substantial unaccounted water loss. The sensors were described as a sole‑source procurement that meets the town’s procurement policy; the board said the sensors would be rotated and reused over multiple years.

Next steps: The water manager will buy the sensors and continue correlation work across hydrants to locate additional leaks; the board will review results and consider further sensor purchases or targeted shutdowns if needed.