Statement from Mark Steuer
To what extent is the city’s/water utility’s response to the Humboldt Road water main break
acceptable to you?
As a Green Bay Alderperson since 2012, some of the hardest issues that I deal with constituents on have
to do with road and sidewalk repair and their impending costs to citizens. This would also include water
main breaks. One citizen that I am meeting with on July 20th had a February 2018 water main break in
front of her house, which damaged the road, the terrace, the sidewalk and much of her yard, not to
mention damage to her basement. In a situation like this, numerous departments often have to be
contacted, such as Water Utility, Gas, Forestry, Public Works and Inspection in efforts to determine
responsibility.
So, I do feel the acute pain that the Sorenson and Arquette families have endured with respect to the
extensive damages done to their homes by a February 2018 water main break. The Sorenson’s have a
pending $92,000 claim with the City that does not seem to be moving any too quickly. Consider if this
were your house. You would aim for fairness.
I recently spoke with Brian Powell, the Water Utility Engineering Services Manager on a number of
matters, including the topic of municipal immunity when it comes to an “act of God” versus an “at fault”
incident on water main breaks. Though the Humboldt Road Main had been repaired four times
previously, the “at fault” scenario was not brought forth.
The Water Utility had a master plan produced by AECOM in the Fall of 2017. The “probability of failure”
versus the “consequence of failure” are factors that measure water main breaks in the report.
“Probability of Failure” factors such as the age of the pipe, the material type, the leakage history, soil
types, pipe diameter, pressure, and volume of flow are all scrutinized when there is a water main break.
“Consequence of Failure” factors include land uses and larger users of water. Residential properties are
at the tail end of the hierarchy of critical water usage customers such as hospitals, schools, businesses
and such.
I was satisfied with Mr. Powell’s answers on the questions asked, but still feel that the City needs to
have a more timely proactive response to the concerns of those affected.
Should the city and/or water utility compensate the affected homeowners for the damage caused by
the water main break? Why or why not?
The affected families should be compensated for damages done, whether in whole or partially,
especially when considering the fact that this water main was repaired four times in the past and was
liable to break again. Since budgets are often tight, we must get creative in ways to upgrade our
infrastructure, which would include possessing a solvent emergency fund.
In my nearly seven years on City Council, a majority of the diverse claims that I have seen against the
City for a variety of reasons are denied. This should not be one of them. As a member of the legislative
branch of City Government, the decision is out of my hands once it reaches the Courts.

 What should the city/water utility do to help homeowners whose properties are damaged by water
main breaks?
If there is a water main break in a district, a Water Utility official and the local alderperson should meet
with the homeowner or business owner to discuss the situation and look for solutions that are fair and
workable in an efficient manner. Any available City resources, Neighborhood Association assistance
and/or applicable disaster monies or aid that can be brought forth in timely fashion to those affected
need to be expedited.
Additional comment:
As the President of the City Council, I will work with my fellow alders and City Departments in looking at
potential ordinance revisions, espousing better management practices and realizing an updated GIS
mapping system that displays and monitors the many miles of sanitary, storm, and water main lines in
Green Bay to see where problems lie and the methods needed to fix them. That would include studying
what other communities have done to ameliorate the effects of water main breaks on those affected by
them.
I also perused the Water Utility website. Discussion on water main breaks and their consequences is
non-existent. Each City Department website needs not only to deal with the proactive measures and
initiatives shown on their sites, but also to bring forth a FAQ page that discusses the various problems
and issues that citizens need timely answers on.
Street replacements are based on a 1-10 rating, with 1 or 2 being the worst. These replacement roads
now look at utility replacement as well. The road ratings exist in a GIS mapping database, with the
ability to look at water utility conditions as well, making decisions to reconstruct needed roads much
easier.
The issue of water main breaks is a complex one. Each situation is different. The Humboldt Road break
inordinately affected several customers, who I believe should be compensated, either in whole or
partially at best.