The City of La Marque proclaimed August as National Water Quality Month and heard a progress report from Public Works on efforts to improve drinking-water reliability and quality.

Mayor Keith Bell read the proclamation noting that water quality “is a vital resource that is essential for public health, environmental stability, sustainability, and economic prosperity,” and formally declared August as National Water Quality Month for the city.

Shannon Atkinson of Public Works described operational changes the department has implemented. Atkinson said the city has reduced water loss by “almost 35 percent” over the past year, installed mixers in elevated storage tanks to keep water moving, started a weekly flushing program in the distribution system, and is preparing to install the city’s first automated flusher at a dead-end main.

Atkinson said the city shifted from a largely reactive approach to a more proactive water-quality program, listing reduced water loss, storage-tank mixers, and the flushing program as key steps. The council did not vote on policy or funding in this segment; the proclamation and the operational updates were presented for public record.

During the public-participation period a resident identified as Otto spoke briefly and said he was an “outside agitator” and expressed displeasure about unspecified issues he said were affecting the city. He declined to provide his address on the record.

The council’s remarks noted the public works changes as ongoing operational work; no formal direction or new budgetary commitments were recorded in the transcript excerpt.