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Consideration of a request from the Engineering Division to authorize staff to enter into professional services agreements with raSmith for sanitary sewer dye testing in the amount of $288,000 and with Baxter & Woodman for flow data evaluation in the amount of $86,700
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Submitted by:
Chris Jain, PE, Senior Civil Engineer
Department
Public Works, Engineering Division
A. Issue
Consideration of a request from the Engineering Division to authorize staff to enter into professional services agreements with raSmith for sanitary sewer dye testing in the amount of $288,000 and with Baxter & Woodman for flow data evaluation in the amount of $86,700
B. Background/Options
The Common Council approved the execution of a funding agreement with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) through the Private Property Infiltration and Inflow (PPII) Reduction Program in January 2026 to complete two sanitary sewer investigation projects. The consulting services recommended in this memo implement that funding agreement and allow the City to complete the investigations identified under the program.
The goal of these projects is to measure the effectiveness of previously completed sanitary sewer improvements in reducing the "clear water" (inflow and infiltration, or I/I) entering the sanitary sewer system. These investigations will help the City evaluate the effectiveness of past sewer rehabilitation investments and guide future efforts to reduce inflow and infiltration. The two investigation projects are summarized below:
1. The dye testing project will surcharge the storm sewer with dyed water and use CCTV inspections in the sanitary sewer to observe and document the locations and rates of infiltration. These infiltration rates will be compared with historical infiltration rates observed during previous dye testing efforts to evaluate the reduction in infiltration resulting from completed improvements and will be summarized in a final report.
2. The flow da...
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