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Commission reviews $34.4M 2026 capital plan; security cameras, ERP upgrade and operations center highlighted
Summary
Utility staff presented a first look at the 2026 capital improvement plan, reporting a $34.4 million capital program with $4.0 million in grants, $254,000 proposed for remote camera connectivity, an ERP/billing upgrade budgeted at $835,000, replacement of roughly 18,800 feet of main, and the operations center listed at 17.5 (units aligned with the total budget).
Utility staff presented a first look at the Waukesha Water Utility’s 2026 Capital Improvement Plan on Thursday, describing major line items and projected funding sources.
Courtney (staff presenter, speaker S2) told commissioners the utility’s draft capital budget totals $34,400,000 and that $4,000,000 in grants have been identified to support abandonments and some PLC/chemistry work. "This is our 1st look at the capital improvement plan. This is for discussion purposes only," she said.
Key items presented included a security upgrade to add remote cellular/Wi‑Fi drops for cameras at remote pumping stations (budgeted at $254,000) to allow real-time remote viewing; a water-main replacement program targeting about 18,800 feet next year (roughly 1% of the system); an ERP/billing and process-improvement allocation of $835,000 with expected annual cloud fees; and continued funding for hydrant and meter replacement programs. Staff said the operations center remains a major line item (listed as 17.5 in the presentation) and that the total capital budget sums to $34.4 million when combined with other projects.
Courtney described the ERP item as an upgrade to the utility’s existing system rather than a full re-selection: "We like the product we have now. It’s just old," she said, and staff will bring more detailed cost breakdowns to commissioners next month, including ongoing fees staff estimated in discussion (an annual maintenance figure and a separate cloud fee were discussed as recurring costs).
Staff also noted coordination with city road projects to reduce costs for water-main replacements on resurfacing corridors and said the utility expects to replace about 1,000 water meters per year as part of its meter program.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether land from abandoned plant sites could be sold (staff: many sites can be cleared and sold to recoup some costs) and about projected cash coverage; staff responded that the utility must meet debt coverage requirements and that projected year-end cash and borrowing capacity will be discussed further as the operating budget is finalized.
Commissioners were presented with a schedule showing the age distribution of the system’s mains and were shown maps to prioritize replacements; staff said about 1.8 million feet of pipe are in the system and highlighted that some mid‑20th‑century pipe often performs worse because of thinner walls and corrosive soils.
