Council approves small recirculating fountain at Riverlux site with drought safeguards

The Needles City Council voted to allow a privately owned, recirculating water feature at the Riverlux development near 429 North K Street while retaining drought safeguards.

An unnamed applicant described the device as a narrow water spill (3 inches tall by 36 inches wide) feeding an 8x12-foot shallow basin about 8 inches deep, with bubblers and lighting. The applicant estimated evaporation at "about a toilet bowl flush a day, 7 gallons of water," said the feature would be recirculating, and proposed maintenance and automatic shutoffs (wind and rain sensors) to avoid waste. The applicant also said connecting the feature to city water now would cost roughly $250,000 and asked for permission to use stored or weekly-refilled water in the near term.

Councilmembers questioned maintenance, visibility, and water sourcing; staff confirmed the fountain would be subject to the city's drought restrictions and could be shut off during high winds or other events. Following questions and statements of support from multiple councilmembers, a motion to approve limited operation of the water feature was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

The approval permits the recirculating fountain as described and does not require connection to city water immediately; the council recorded the intent that operations be consistent with conservation standards and that the applicant implement the proposed shutoffs and maintenance safeguards.