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Council authorizes borough-wide leak detection, tables water-operator contract pending licensing
Summary
Montoursville approved hiring American Leak Detection (estimate $2,500/day) to locate water-line leaks and tabled actions on a water-operator consultant and contract renewal until operator licensing questions are resolved.
Montoursville Borough Council authorized professional leak-detection work and deferred decisions about water operations staffing and contracts.
On a motion by Donald Konkle seconded by Donald Boyles, council approved hiring American Leak Detection under a quoted rate of $2,500 per day with an estimated 2–3 day scope to locate leaks in borough water lines. Streets and Water Coordinator Mr. Hoffman told council that PA Rural Water can perform limited, no-cost checks but that a full borough-wide acoustic survey by specialists is more thorough and costs substantially less than purchasing and maintaining detection equipment the borough would seldom use.
Council also considered authorizing Josh Owens of Owens Professional Solutions, LLC as a borough water operator consultant. That authorization effort stalled: Mr. Konkle rescinded his initial motion, and council ultimately tabled the item and made any approval contingent upon borough operators holding full licenses by June 4, 2026. Separately, council tabled a proposal not to renew the 2025 water contract with Owens Professional Solutions after Committee members asked for more discussion.
Why it matters: the leak-detection authorization is intended to identify and repair hidden distribution losses that can affect water supply, pressure and operating costs. The council’s decision to table contracting and licensing issues postpones any immediate operator change until licensing and committee review are complete.
What’s next: American Leak Detection work is to be scheduled; council directed the water committee and staff to resolve licensing and contract issues and report back.
Speakers quoted or paraphrased include Mr. Hoffman and council members involved in the motions.
