FPUD renews main line leak survey services contract with Utility Services Associates

The Fallbrook Public Utility District has a main line leak survey program to help reduce catastrophic leaks and pipeline blowouts and maintain the integrity of FPUD’s buried infrastructure. On July 28, FPUD’s board voted 4-1, with Archie McPhee opposed, to renew its contract with Utility Services Associates for main line leak survey services.

“We’ve been very pleased with them, so the board decided to extend it for three years,” said FPUD general manager Brian Brady.

The contract for $55,778 covers fiscal years 2014-15 through 2016-17. Surveys will be conducted on 30 miles of pipeline each fiscal year. The Utility Services Associates proposal equates to $619.75 per mile.

The aging of FPUD’s distribution system has increased the number of pipelines which are experiencing leaks as they reach the end of their service life. FPUD’s program monitors the piping system for small leaks to help identify areas which need repairs or replacement to prevent a catastrophic leak.

FPUD staff prepared a request for proposals for the leak survey services and sent it to four companies. Utility Service Associates was the only company to respond, but since the Seattle-based firm quoted FPUD the same price it had bid during the 2013 contract issuance and the past leak survey work had been completed successfully FPUD staff felt that the current bid was acceptable.