Sparks is great ... but our water pressure is greater | Brad Fitch

Hi, I’m Brad Fitch, and I’m running for Sparks City Council Ward 3. The City Council frequently addresses issues such as development, traffic and potholes, all of which affect your everyday life. But how often do you think about your household water pressure? Probably not ever — until you must.

Unfortunately, that moment came for me earlier this year, just after the primary election. What began as an odd smell in my living room ultimately became a costly ordeal, taking months and leaving me with a bill of nearly $14,000. Even worse, most homeowners' insurance doesn't cover the damage caused by this issue. They consider it normal “wear and tear.”

What was the cause? The sustained water pressure (pounds per square inch) on the copper pipes under my house was almost double the recommended limit according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and many had extensive splits causing water to pour into my crawl space over months (or even years). Copper pipes should traditionally stay intact for 70-80 years before needing repair.

After dealing with the problem myself, I decided to dig deeper. I picked up a simple $12 water pressure gauge and tested nearly 100 of my neighbors’ houses. The results were alarming. At the very least, water pressure is an issue in my neighborhood, and I suspect it’s a widespread problem throughout older parts of Ward 3. How many others are unaware they could face the same costly repairs I did?

A simple pressure relief valve can be installed at a fraction of the cost to homeowners to help prevent damage. Most houses built after 1992 in our region had one installed at the time of construction, but they were not always required for older homes.

But this problem goes beyond personal inconvenience. It’s a public safety issue that should be on the radar of our water authority — the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA). There are practical steps TMWA could take right now to help residents detect and prevent these kinds of issues before they spiral out of control. For instance, they could:

I believe it’s our responsibility as public officials not just to react to crises but to anticipate them and act before residents are forced to pay the price. With so many working-class families in Ward 3, we can’t afford to let problems like this slip under the radar. The financial burden of repairs that aren’t covered by insurance could easily bankrupt families who are already stretched thin in this economy.

This is exactly the kind of issue I will tackle regularly if elected to the Sparks City Council. I’m committed to working immediately with TMWA to address water pressure problems across the ward and our region. Every family deserves peace of mind knowing they won’t be hit with devastating repair bills simply because no one in leadership took proactive action when they could.

I encourage you to check your own water pressure — I’ll even come check it for you! And while you’re at it, make sure your voice is heard this election. Vote for leaders who understand that public service means engaging with neighbors first, and not waiting until problems become emergencies.

With your support, we can build a safer, stronger community for everyone.

I’m Brad Fitch, and I humbly ask for your vote this election day.

Brad Fitch is a lifelong resident of Sparks Ward 3, a local government and communications professional, and a candidate for Sparks City Council Ward 3.

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