Waukesha utility declares emergency for Willow Park main, approves $5M resurfacing contract

The Waukesha Water Utility Commission on March 19 declared an emergency to replace a deteriorating water main that repeatedly failed near Willow Park Apartments and approved the utility’s larger 2026 resurfacing and utility-replacement contract.

Staff told the commission that multiple breaks occurred March 3 at 1017–1021 Delafield Street and that temporary repairs were not holding. “Given the reoccurring failures, we have determined that additional repairs are no longer cost effective or reliable,” staffing said. The commission approved resolution 3-19-26, directing the general manager to negotiate a contract to replace the main, with the utility’s contract amount for construction not to exceed $76,665; asphalt restoration was estimated not to exceed $20,000.

Staff said the replacement included about 280 feet of 6-inch PVC pipe, one hydrant and valve assembly and reconnection of services, and that city crews would help restore parts of the approach while Willow Park management would handle parking-lot repaving later. The staff recommendation followed two quotes and the selection of the lowest responsive bidder; staff said Thomasini Contractors provided the quickest response and lowest quote.

Separately, the commission approved the water-utility portion of the city’s 2026 resurfacing and street-improvements contract on a unit-price basis, including a 1% city administration fee. Staff reported the low contractor bid for the overall project at roughly $4.95 million and said the utility’s portion totals $5,003,225.53. The work covers four areas (Pebble Valley, Easy Street/Oak Lawn/Norton, Hillside/Harris and a parking-lot resurfacing area) and will replace aging mains with 8-inch PVC in multiple neighborhoods to reduce recurring failures.

Commissioners asked about pipe sizes, pressure impacts and coordination with village and gas-company work. Staff said upsizing main diameter increases capacity and fire flow but does not change normal pressure, and that the city and village are coordinating to avoid split projects and duplicate road openings.

The emergency resolution and the unit-price contract carried at the March 19 meeting. The replacement work for Willow Park had already been completed in the field and staff said the vendor’s bill arrived after the field work; the commission authorized formal approval via the emergency resolution to allow contract execution and reimbursement.