Yukon approves agreement to test Bethany-area wells; officials say tests are exploratory and not tied to data center

The Yukon City Council on Nov. 4 approved an agreement with the City of Bethany and the Bethany Public Works Authority to permit testing of well water located in the Garber–Wellington aquifer. The motion passed by unanimous roll call.

During public comment and discussion, staff clarified that the agreement is for testing only — to determine whether the water is usable and how plentiful it is — and that the testing arrangement is separate from any water-and-sewer contract or the city’s ongoing discussions related to potential data-center water needs. A resident asked whether the wells were "the water that Bethany uses that's terrible," and staff replied the tests are to assess well quality and quantity.

City staff said Bethany already has a well field in the Garber–Wellington aquifer that is not currently in use and that the agreement would allow Yukon to test that resource. City officials noted the city is pursuing multiple potential water sources and that the Bethany testing is only one exploratory step. The mayor and staff told the council the separate water-and-sewer agreement discussed previously has not yet been drafted or signed; staff described a six-month due-diligence period for the purchase-and-sale process that can be extended and said they were still compiling technical information.

City staff identified two internal staff roles connected to water planning: Rodney Marr is leading public works and Nick Rice is handling special projects that include water and wastewater. The council approved the Bethany testing agreement by roll call with no recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance: approved (Wooten; Selby; Zimmerman; Hillmore).