City posts annual drinking-water report and schedules May public hearing on water rates amid supply concerns

City staff told the Hyde Park City Council the annual drinking-water quality report is available on the city’s public works page and that overall testing shows the city’s water scores highly.

Staff warned the council the health department is transitioning sampling responsibilities: the city will now collect samples and send them to the health department for testing. Marcus said the report is for public awareness and staff invited questions about test results available online.

Council members used the update to discuss more immediate water-supply concerns. A council member who had attended a regional canal shareholder meeting said farmers should not expect a third irrigation cutting this year and that canal allocations may be restricted; several council members suggested those conditions reinforce the need to revisit the city’s water rates.

Dave (council member) urged the council to hold a public hearing in May to consider a water-rate structure that would preserve or lower charges for the lowest users while increasing rates for the highest users to support infrastructure replacement and conservation goals. Staff said state code limits the ways rates can be tied to conservation but confirmed the water fund is not currently generating enough revenue for major infrastructure replacements.

Council asked staff to present a draft rate schedule for review before a public hearing; the city will provide educational materials ahead of the meeting so residents understand the reasons for changes and the trade-offs involved.