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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Brian Katamay, Long Term Control Plan Project Assistant
DATE: September 21st, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute an engineering services contract with Digital Water Solutions in the amount of $188,831 for the purchase and training of 17 pressure and acoustic hydrant-based water system sensors.
PURPOSE:
This project involves the purchase and associated training of 17 pressure and acoustic hydrant-based sensors from Digital Water Solutions. These sensors will be placed on two areas within the water distribution system; a portion of the southeast transmission main and a section of distribution system north of the Fox Valley East Pump Station in order to identify existing leaks and evaluate pressure transients within the system.
BACKGROUND:
The City maintains over 730 miles of distribution main and 9 miles of transmission main. Due to the size of the transmission main, i.e. greater than 20 inches in diameter, traditional leak detection methods cannot be used to identify leaks and therefore are excluded from the City’s annual program. In the winter of 2025 the southeast transmission main near Solfisburg Park experienced a main break that continued for at least three months due to the location, weather conditions, and specialized nature of the repair. Additionally, PVC-based pipe has similar issues with standard leak detection as a softer material.
DISCUSSION:
Proposals were requested through Qualification Based Selection #25-205 “Continuous Leak Detection and Condition Assessment of Water System Transmission Mains,” released October 20, 2025. Three vendors submitted proposals, two of which were selected for interviews with City staff: Digital Water Solutions and M.E. Simpson and Company. Staff found the different approaches from each company satisfied different program goals, therefore split the overall project between the firms. The M.E. Simpson project is still being scoped and will com...
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