Detroit prepares for meter tender with interim contract amendments

Detroit prepares for meter tender with interim contract amendmentsThe utility has added funding to existing agreements with Badger Meter and Mueller Systems to maintain inventory while finalizing a solicitation for new long-term replacement contracts.

Board approves $200,000 increase for Badger Meter and $220,000 for Mueller Systems to bridge inventory needs.

Procurement staff are currently preparing to advertise new replacement contracts for meter inventory.

DWSD authorizes $642,603 payment to Great Lakes Water Authority for emergency repairs at Blue Hill Pump Station.

New cost-sharing agreement established with Harper Woods to reimburse DWSD for 3.8% of Blue Hill station flows.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is preparing to solicit bids for new water meter inventory contracts, signaling a future procurement opportunity for metering vendors. During its December 2025 meeting, the Board of Water Commissioners approved interim amendments to existing contracts with Badger Meter and Mueller Systems to prevent operational disruptions while the new tender is finalized. Ms. West, representing the procurement team, stated that the department is working on “advertising for replacement contracts” for meter inventory. To sustain operations until those new agreements are in place, the board authorized an additional $200,000 for the Badger Meter contract, bringing the total not-to-exceed amount to $700,000. Similarly, the board approved a $220,000 increase for the contract with Mueller Systems, raising its total amended amount to $1.22 million. These amendments cover the department's most commonly used 5/8-inch meters. In addition to metering, the board addressed capital maintenance and cost-recovery for the Blue Hill Pump Station, a DWSD-owned asset maintained by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). The commissioners authorized a $642,602.89 payment to GLWA to reimburse a contractor for repairs to a variable frequency drive (VFD) motor that had reached its end of life. Simultaneously, the board approved a cost reimbursement agreement with the neighboring City of Harper Woods regarding the Blue Hill facility. Senior General Counsel Jonathan Demers explained that while DWSD has historically paid 100% of the station's costs, a 2022 tributary area study revealed that 3.8% of the sanitary flow originates from Harper Woods. The new agreement ensures Harper Woods will reimburse DWSD for its share of costs going forward and includes retroactive payments for the last two fiscal years. Director Gary Brown also addressed the department's leadership outlook following the recent mayoral election. Brown indicated he intends to remain in his position through January 2026 but noted he is in discussions regarding a potential portfolio-level role within the incoming administration of Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield.