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Board reviews water audit showing elevated losses and orders further investigation
Summary
Staff reported April water loss at 19% (previous months up to 48–50%). The board heard that leak-detection work found a few leaking hydrants and that staff will isolate tanks and check meters to locate sources of loss.
District staff reported unusually high system water loss in recent months and outlined next steps to find sources and reduce leakage.
Brett Palmer told the board April showed 19% water loss, and earlier months recorded losses as high as 48% and 50%. "I'm not I'm not sure why April has 19% water loss, and the previous months are up to 48, 41, and 50," Palmer said. He described steps taken: contracted leak-detection crews, checking valves between the lake and tanks, isolating tanks to measure flow, and searching for leaking hydrants.
Staff said divers who inspected tanks last year saw no signs of leakage in the tanks, so current tests will sequentially isolate tank valves and compare meter flows. Palmer said crews found some leaking hydrants and will use listening devices to check other hydrants and service connections.
A trustee asked whether the district or the service agency is responsible for certain backflow preventers; staff said the service agency owns, operates and maintains those devices but must send annual test results to the district. Trustees recommended monitoring meter and pump-house readings as the district switches wells to see whether loss correlates with well changes.
The board did not take formal action beyond directing staff to continue leak detection and report findings at a future meeting.
