04-25-2007 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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VIAY"OR Bill 13lesener COUNCIL. Rick Montour Barbara Allan John Keis Michael McGraw 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 ADMINISTRATOR (651) 766 -4029 / FAX: (651) 766 -4048 Joel R. Hanson www.ci.little-canada.mn.us MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Blesener & Members of City Council From: Bill Dircks, Public Works Superintendent Date: April 17, 2007 Re: Water Main Leak Detection One possible cause of water loss is leaks in the distribution system. Leaks are most commonly found at hydrants and water service connections. We have also documented past problems in the Country Drive area due to some corrosive soils (peat). There is technology available to search the City for leaks in the system by "listening" to the system at hydrants. I received a quote from TKDA to conduct a general survey of the City's water distribution system by "listening" to our 540 hydrants. TKDA would then prepare and submit a report summarizing the results of the survey. The total cost of this work was quoted at $2900. We have budgeted $2250 for leak detection in the Water /Sewer Capital Improvement Fund. This fund can accommodate the additional cost. Therefore, staff recommends leak testing the entire system in 2007 so that we can get to work on any leaks that may exist as soon as possible. Once a leak detection survey is completed the City will have knowledge of where general leaks are located. Those leaks would then have to be pinpointed more accurately and repaired. Staff feels it would be best to utilize St. Paul Regional Water Services for this step. We currently contract with SPRWS to fix main breaks and gate valves. TKDA would pinpoint leaks at a rate of $100 per hour; however, we are asking TKDA if the pinpointing of leaks could occur at the same time as leak detection at a more economical rate. (We hope to have an updated proposal incorporating this option for Wednesday's meeting.) Once they pinpointed the leak we would still need to contact SPRWS to repair the leak. I am working with SPRWS to obtain a rate they would charge to perform this work. If it is less than $100 per hour I would recommend that we contract with SPRWS to pinpoint and repair any leaks discovered during the general survey. It should also be noted that Elfering and Associates does not provide leak detection services at this time. They are considering it for the future.