City accepts $795,000 grant to expand leak detection and water resiliency

City staff presented a resolution to formally accept a Google Water Replenishment grant award totaling $795,000 to fund a bundled project aimed at reducing nonrevenue water loss and improving system resiliency. The project components include an acoustic leak-detection network, 12 additional pressure gauges, a crew vehicle tied to leak detection, a standby generator at the Greenbrier booster pump station, staff training, and contingency funding.

"We have been awarded a grant for the total of, dollars 795,000 for this grant project," the presenter said, explaining the city was one of 165 selected projects from a national solicitation. Staff described goals to achieve a 25% reduction in nonrevenue water loss by 2030 and estimated the initiative could save more than 120,000,000 gallons per year when fully implemented.

Council asked whether accepting the grant imposes additional obligations; staff said the work aligns with the city's five-year outlook and strategic plan and that the city attorney's office is reviewing contractual terms. Council approved the resolution by voice vote, and staff said the city manager would be authorized to negotiate the contract and return with contract terms for appropriation in a budget amendment session (BOMA) as required.