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Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson reported a $10,000 annual savings to the city after his department located and repaired four large leaks in the city’s water distribution system in late 2025.

By Robert Williams

Editor

Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson discussed money savings from repairs made to leaks last fall in the city’s distribution system with the city council Wednesday, March 11. 

Stopping the leaks allows for less chemicals to be used along with less power and pump usage.

Last October, Stephenson reported that city crews located and repaired four substantial leaks, reducing the daily water usage from as high as 180,000–200,000 gallons per day down to about approximately 90,000 gallons per day.

When comparing a three-month span over the past two years, less fluoride usage equated to $74 dollars less spent per month; chlorine savings were $545 per month; sodium permanganate savings were $60 per month; $210 was saved in less electricity used.

“It’s upwards of $900 per month, which is a pretty good thing to see,” Stephenson said. “That’s going to fluctuate when we get into our bigger water-using months but nothing like it’s been.”

Council member Jim Rader noted that is approximately $10,000 saved per year and thanked Stephenson and his team for their efforts.