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Southeast Polk board approves 28E water-flow metering agreement with Pleasant Hill after questions about cost and sources

October 17, 2025 | Southeast Polk Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa


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Southeast Polk board approves 28E water-flow metering agreement with Pleasant Hill after questions about cost and sources
The Southeast Polk Community School District board voted to approve a 28E agreement with the City of Pleasant Hill to install water-flow metering intended to identify a discrepancy between metered water use and sanitary sewer flow.

The agreement, presented Oct. 16, will allow the city to meter flows to determine whether the difference between water sold and sewage treated originates on district property. Board members asked for clarification on costs and next steps before voting. After discussion the board approved the agreement by roll call; all members present voted yes.

Why it matters: Pleasant Hill officials have reported a consistent mismatch between the volume of water the city sells and the volume entering its wastewater system. The metering is intended to pinpoint whether groundwater infiltration, leaks or other sources are entering the sanitary sewer lines and contributing to that discrepancy. If the meters identify additional flow that can be tied to the district, the district and the city would then work to find and fix the source.

District discussion focused on cost uncertainty and the mechanics of any charge. Board members asked whether the district would be billed when the meter is installed and whether the charge would apply only to a measured difference. A district speaker explained the city had offered a temporary concession: for an initial period the city would charge the district 50% of measured differences rather than 100% (the fee would apply to the difference between district water usage and the sewer flow measurement, not 50% of total water use). The district also reported it previously inspected sewer lines — including camera inspections and manhole checks — and found no obvious source inside campus boundaries.

Board members asked the administration to gather historical documentation about past sewer work and the timing of prior infrastructure changes that might explain the discrepancy. The administration said it would compile a brief summary of prior investigations, including dates of trunk extension work and earlier scopes of work, and return that information to the board before the district would be asked to accept any financial responsibility beyond the concession period.

Board member questions also included whether the meter could be installed without immediate billing and whether the board could table action pending further documentation. District staff said the city had set a start date for the fee schedule beginning in January, and that delaying approval could mean losing the initial concession. The board voted to approve the 28E agreement.

The district said it will continue to support the city in locating sources of extra flow if the metering shows a discrepancy, and that potential sources could include groundwater infiltration or a leaking pipe. The board requested a short timeline and summary of past work (including the East Trunk extension and other projects) to be prepared for a future meeting.

Ending: The board approved the agreement and asked staff to return with documentation summarizing prior sewer and trunk work and a suggested timeline should further investigation or repairs be required.

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Scribe from Workplace AI
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