Council approves up to $15,000 for pump-house and water-system maintenance

The Daniel Town Council on July 6 approved spending up to $15,000 from the water fund for prioritized maintenance and repairs at the town pump house.

Mayor explained the proposed scope covers replacement of failed items such as check valves, measurement equipment and other wear items; staff provided a scope-of-service estimate ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 and said the mayor can authorize expenditures in $5,000 increments. "That $15,000 will they'll pick and choose which one is the priority as we go through there," a staff member said.

Council members discussed the failed check valve and other items that had contributed to excess pumping and higher power bills; staff said a larger SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system replacement had been bid separately at roughly $114,000 and would be considered later if needed. The council voted to approve up to $15,000 and directed staff to prioritize immediate repairs and bring any request for larger expenditures back to the council.

Staff noted the pump-house work is intended to restore reliable measurements and prevent recurring equipment failures that have caused operational inefficiency. Work will be scheduled and paid from the water fund; staff will report on specific repairs and costs as they are executed.