Politics & Government

Emergency Repairs Needed to Avoid Water Main Breaks

After tracing the source of a slew of water main breaks last summer and fall, the Village Board authorized emergency work Monday to repair malfunctioning water-metering equipment.

After tracing the source of a slew of water main breaks last summer and fall, the Village Board authorized emergency work Monday to repair faulty water-metering equipment.

The target of the work is a concrete vault located at East Edgewood Avenue and North Downer Avenue, which holds equipment to measure water consumption and reduce the pressure at which water leaves the Milwaukee system and enters Shorewood's, according to a memo authored by Shorewood Public Works Director Leeann Butschlick. Due to age, the meter is malfunctioning, causing pressure spikes in the system, and cracking water mains, said Trustee Jeff Hanewall. 

The repairs are estimated to cost about $75,000. Village officials also approved a $7,700 contract with City Water for engineering services related to the repairs. The village plans to finance the repairs through its water utility fund.

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Hanewall said village officials are considering changing its water supplier, from Milwaukee to the North Shore, but because that decision hasn't been made yet, they have to move forward with the emergency work. 

"Staff feels that we basically have to act and repair the equipment in this vault now," he said. 

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Since the work was approved on an emergency basis, the village will not publicly bid the work citing the urgency to start repairs and the bidding process taking too long. Instead, village officials will select a contractor on Friday and begin work next week. 

"This isn't just a matter of having enough water for showers at peak times, but the biggest issue is a safety issue. If we were to have a fire, these are the same mains that are satisfying the hydrants," Hanewall said. 

The village does plan to notify nearby residents when works starts, but doesn't anticipate a noticeable impact. 


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