Residents press Huachuca City on aging pipes and smart‑meter options; manager says tests show water is safe

Multiple residents described problems with water taste, aging distribution pipes and monthly bills during the public hearing.

"The water is bad, the past 7 years my dog doesn’t even drink the water," resident Frances Mock said, prompting Town Manager Suzanne Harvey to note the town’s regulatory testing: "we are required to send it in for testing monthly and our water is absolutely good." Discussion then turned to whether the town should pursue smart water meters and a system assessment under State Special Projects to identify failing mains and prioritize pipe replacement.

Councilmembers and SEAGO staff said an engineering assessment or SSP planning grant would strengthen any future CDBG infrastructure application by identifying the specific streets or mains that need work. Residents also asked whether replacing meters to record by hundreds of gallons (rather than thousands) could reduce billing inequities and help monitor usage.