Resident presses council for update on 2022 waterworks settlement, asks if reverse-osmosis project proceeded

At the council meeting, resident Joseph Cole asked elected officials for a public update on the waterworks settlement and whether a promised reverse-osmosis facility had been constructed.

Cole said the water board sued several companies in October 2022 and that there was a settlement that "the city received at least a water board over $200,000,000," adding he had been "informed" that was the amount. He asked the council, "Has anything been done? We just continue drinking the water to see what's going to happen?" and requested the council look into it.

Councilman Wilson said he does not serve on the waterworks and sewer board and declined to offer a detailed update. Councilman Wilson said his understanding was that "shortly after the city, waterworks and sewer board received that judgment ... several lawsuits placed against the city that encumbered that money and has prevented it from being spent." That, he said, was his general understanding and that follow-up should be done.

Councilman Robinson, who said he serves on the water board, told the meeting the water is tested monthly and the results are posted on the Gas and Water Works and Sewer Board website. He said, "the water is clean. And we get we get updates on that every meeting," and noted the testing reports are public.

Councilman Avery said he has asked that the director of the water company attend a meeting in his district to answer questions from seniors and other residents. No formal action or vote on waterworks spending was recorded during the council session excerpt.