Residents raise water-quality and meter concerns; town says system tests pass but assessment recommended

Water quality and infrastructure concerns were a recurring theme during public comment. "The water is bad, the past 7 years my dog doesn’t even drink the water," said resident Frances Mock (105 Pima). Town Manager Suzanne Harvey responded directly: "We are required to send it in for testing monthly and our water is absolutely good," noting that tests are submitted to the Arizona Department of Quality and that taste issues do not necessarily indicate safety problems.

Councilmember Cynthia Butterworth and others urged exploring meter replacement to modern "read-by-100-gallon" meters (smart meters) to improve billing accuracy and water management. William Osborne of SEAGO described options to fund engineering or assessment work through a State Special Projects (SSP) planning grant or as part of a CDBG application if scope and environmental reviews are prepared in advance.

No immediate repairs or funding approvals were made at the hearing; staff said the next step is to add the water-system assessment or meter‑replacement concept to the project list so the council can consider targeted grant applications.