PUBLIC UTILITIES ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive the 2025 Operations Summary
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DEPARTMENT: Water Utilities
SUBMITTED BY: Darrell Blenniss, Director Water Utilities
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Water Utilities Department operates through three primary business groups, each essential to maintaining the City's critical infrastructure and public health standards:
1. Water Supply, Distribution, and Collection (WSDC)
2. Civil Environmental Engineering and Construction Management (CEECM)
3. Springbrook Water Reclamation Center (SWRC)
DISCUSSION:
In 2025, the Department successfully balanced a historic volume of capital investment with rigorous operational maintenance and regulatory compliance. Despite external pressures regarding supply chains and contractor performance, the Department achieved its primary service goals.
A. Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) & Infrastructure
The year was defined by the transition of the SWRC South Plant Expansion from design to active construction ($59.3M), marking a significant investment in wastewater treatment capacity.
* Completed Projects: The Barclay Manor Force Main replacement, Northwest Wastewater Lift Station Forcemain, and the 2025 Hydrant Painting program were successfully finalized. The 2025 Lead Service Line Replacement program was also completed by late summer.
* Active Construction: Work is underway on several major initiatives at the reclamation center, including the SWRC Biosolids Holding Tank, the South Plant Grit and RAS improvements, and the South Plant Improvements project.
* Challenges: Supply chain volatility and contractor issues impacted the timelines for the Central Elevated Tank, West Waterworks, and the Northwest Pump Station. Staff is actively managing these schedule slippages with revised completion targets set for mid-2026.
B. Operations & Maintenance Statistics
Operational efficiency remained high across the distribution and collection syst...
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