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Utility superintendent says in-house water testing saves about $28,500 annually, with limits on E. coli testing
Summary
Steve Ignace, utility superintendent, told council that keeping public-utilities lab processes in‑house would save roughly $28,504 per year but the city must continue sending E. coli and occasional fats/oils/grease samples to an outside lab in Maquoketa.
Steve Ignace, the city’s utility superintendent, presented a cost‑benefit comparison during unfinished business and said keeping laboratory testing in‑house would yield estimated savings of about $28,504 per year.
Ignace clarified that in‑house testing would not cover E. coli analysis and that fats, oils and grease testing would be performed only monthly and shipped to Maquoketa for processing. He said the city’s water‑side backflow tests also go to the Maquoketa lab, so some trips serve dual purposes and can reduce overall shipping frequency.
Ignace told council he did not require immediate direction on the matter but would proceed with in‑house services unless the council wanted to change course. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the tests and savings while acknowledging the operational limit on E. coli processing.
