Town addresses arsenic levels in Mountain Gate Well and water treatment plans

The Clarkdale Town Council meeting held on April 9, 2025, focused on critical updates regarding the town's water supply and infrastructure. The meeting began with a detailed presentation on the town's water sources, specifically highlighting the Mountain Gate Well and the Haskell Springs Well.

The council discussed the water storage facilities, noting that Haskell Springs has its own storage, while the 89 Site contains two tanks: the 89 Tank and the Mountain Gate Tank. A significant concern raised was the Mountain Gate Well, which has arsenic levels exceeding the maximum contaminant level. To address this issue, water from this well is sent to an arsenic treatment plant located at the 89 A site, where it is treated before being stored in the tanks.

The presentation also covered the distribution of water throughout the system, primarily relying on gravity flow. However, the Panorama Booster Pump Station plays a crucial role by pumping water to higher elevations, specifically Panorama Way, and down to the reservation on Cement Plant Road.

Additionally, the council noted the existence of several older, historic wells that are no longer operational due to collapse, low production, or abandonment. Among these is the Meskell well, which has not been developed due to high arsenic levels detected during testing.

The town maintains an emergency water connection with Cottonwood, allowing for the transfer of water between the two municipalities under a mutual agreement.

The meeting concluded with a reminder that detailed information was available in the provided materials, although some visuals presented were noted to be difficult to read. Overall, the discussions underscored the town's ongoing efforts to manage water quality and supply effectively.