3-Year Water System Leak Detection Services

The project purpose is to complete a leak detection survey and report for each of the three project years to provide the city with an annual report documenting system leak location and estimate of leak rate.

Please note: Respondents shall request a copy of the City’s Utility Map Request Form and submit the completed Utility Map Request Form to utilitymaprequest@cityofpaloalto.org . Include “Water System Leak Detection Services” in the title of the subject line. Map request form located in the Attachment section.

In October of 2015, the Governor of California signed Senate Bill (SB) 555 into law to improve water system auditing and create water loss standards throughout the state. SB 555 requires all California Urban Retail Water Suppliers to analyze the economic benefits of leak detection. The City of Palo Alto completed the economic analysis in 2023, and the CPA has decided to move forward with soliciting a service provider to perform the leak detection work of the City’s water distribution network.

The City of Palo Alto owns and maintains potable water distribution and water pumping facilities for drinking water across the City’s boundaries. Palo Alto manages 231 miles of water mains. The water main sizes range from 4” to 24”. Over the half of the system is ACP water main. In addition to ACP the system also includes the following materials: HDPE, Ductile Iron, Cast Iron, PVC, Concrete Cylinder, Copper, Steel, and Galvanized Steel pipes.

In response to ongoing drought conditions, the City is dedicated to decreasing water loss within its distribution system. Early detection of sub-surface water leaks will allow the city to promptly repair water assets and prioritize pipelines for replacement.