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Town utility staff report high July water production, proposes paid audits
Summary
Town utility staff reported July water production and wastewater inflow changes, noted an IDEM‑approved wellhead protection plan and suggested the council consider charging a fee for full residential water audits to cover labor-intensive meter analysis.
John, the town’s water operations lead, reported the utility’s July production totaled 1,385,210 with a daily average of about 51,304, and said the water filter backwashed on July 15 and July 27. He also told the council the town’s wellhead protection plan has been signed off by IDEM and that he provided a map of the protection area, highlighting potential contamination risks near the railroad and County Road 19.
John proposed the council consider charging a fee for full water audits because a complete audit, he said, requires two to three hours per meter to collect and interpret digital meter data. “Most towns in cities charge a $150 or more for that service,” John said. Council members distinguished a quick meter check (about five minutes) from a full audit that produces an exhaustive, minute-by-minute usage report; Chair noted the short check can often identify continuous flow but agreed a full audit is labor intensive.
The council did not take action but discussed next steps, including whether to ask staff for written recommendations and cost estimates. The discussion also covered a separate infrastructure note: staff identified an old thin-wall irrigation line at a trailer on County Line Road that is not serviceable and would require a bore and a new tap to reconnect service.
