Crest Hill council approves emergency well repairs, sewer pump purchases and multiple water‑main contracts

Crest Hill — The City Council voted Tuesday to authorize emergency repairs and contracts aimed at shoring up the city’s water and sewer systems, approving a budget amendment and multiple procurement actions to restore reliability before peak summer demand.

Public Works Director Mike Huitz asked the council to amend the FY 2024–25 budget to transfer fund-balance dollars into the Water & Sewer Capital Fund to cover emergency repairs to iron filters at Wells 9 and 12. Staff said the repair work is not to exceed $386,386. The council approved the ordinance and later approved a contract with USG Water to perform the work.

Huitz told the council the iron‑filter vessels typically have a 15–20 year lifespan and that the filters at several wells have likely passed that span. He attributed recent reports of rusty water in some neighborhoods to maintenance and refilling of the Gaylord water tank, which stirred deposits in nearby mains, and apologized to residents affected by discolored water. Huitz said staff would like to perform a full citywide hydrant flush (likely in the fall) once the affected wells are back online; he explained flushing during peak summer demand could cause pressure issues.

Council also approved an emergency purchase of two raw sewage pumps for the Westside Treatment Plant. Staff noted two of four pumps were out of service and that one may have been hit by lightning and could be eligible for reimbursement; the council carried the purchase motion. (Transcript contains two inconsistent dollar figures for the pump purchase in staff remarks and the motion record; see clarifying details.)

City Engineer Ron Wiedemann presented several related capital items. Council awarded a $1,582,230.63 contract to Austin Tyler Construction Inc. for the Circle and Green Street water‑main replacement and road reconstruction; staff said the bid came in roughly $700,000–$800,000 under the $2.6 million budgeted amount. Council also approved a construction engineering agreement of about $118,207, a facility condition assessment for multiple wells and the east wastewater plant for about $99,600, and design and related services for Grand Prairie Water Commission delivery points for approximately $533,500. Each item passed by roll call.

Council members asked for additional clarity on timing and scope: one alderman asked whether hydrant flushing could be done at night to reduce customer impact; staff said night flushing is possible but raises safety concerns for crews. Staff said the widening of a right‑turn lane associated with another project is still permitted by the county and is expected to be constructed; engineering approvals and final civil plans are still required before full construction.

The measures are intended to restore system performance ahead of summer usage and to advance a multi‑stage water‑main and safety program that city staff said will reduce future disruptions.

Next steps: contractors will be scheduled to begin emergency well repairs and pump replacement work; engineering firms will proceed with the condition assessment and design work once agreements are executed, and staff will post informational notices for residents about hydrant flushing and any anticipated service effects.