Needles mayor highlights grant-funded water projects after heat coverage

Mayor Jan Jernigan used the City of Needles’ State of the City address to outline a series of grant‑funded projects she said are intended to shore up the city’s water supply after recent national coverage of extreme heat and well‑capacity concerns.

"With temperatures regularly reaching 120 degrees, this situation puts our city at serious risk," Jernigan said, referencing national coverage that reported the city’s high temperatures and a stretched water system. She told attendees the city had secured about $15 million in grants for system upgrades, including a $6.1 million treatment project for Well No. 11, a $2.1 million booster‑station replacement and relocation, and a $2.4 million, 1.5‑million‑gallon storage tank.

The mayor said the city completed repairs to Well 12 after the City Council approved emergency repairs on March 12, 2024, and celebrated the ribbon cutting for the renamed Bill M. Claypool III booster station on April 25, 2024. The mayor described the Well No. 11 project (groundbreaking May 31, 2023) as a centralized treatment plant to remove iron and manganese and said it will include backup generation to maintain service.

Jernigan credited grant support from state and federal agencies and said upgrades to pump stations and water lines are focused on modernizing the system and improving reliability. She framed the investments as necessary to protect public health and maintain essential services as the city attracts more visitors.

The mayor said the work will continue with completion of the treatment plant expected this fall and additional monitoring and maintenance to ensure multiple clean water sources for residents.