FEBRUARY 26, 2026

Some Dubuque residents will see their neighborhood fire hydrants receiving a “check-up” over the next week as a leak detection survey of Dubuque’s water distribution system is performed.

The City of Dubuque has contracted with Westrum Leak Detection, Inc. of Stratford, Iowa, to perform the survey, which is scheduled to begin Friday, Feb. 27. The survey is expected to be completed by the middle of the following week. The work will be conducted during daytime and evening hours, including weekends, to avoid traffic. The survey will not impact household water usage.

A Westrum Leak Detection employee will visit each of the public fire hydrants in Dubuque’s Pressure Zone 2 to “listen” to the hydrant with special equipment. If any water noise is heard, a follow-up visit to the site will be made to pinpoint any potential leaks in water mains or private water service lines. Any follow-up visits will typically be conducted in the evening hours when water usage is low. 

Pressure Zone 2 is located in the northeastern portion of Dubuque. No other areas of the city will be impacted.

The information gathered from the survey will be used to prioritize preventative maintenance and repairs to the water distribution system. For additional information on this project, contact City of Dubuque Water Distribution GIS Specialist Jesse Bernhardt at by calling 563.589.4291 or emailing jbernhar@cityofdubuque.org