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City OKs Valley Water fill station at Riverbluff to help residents with nitrate‑tainted wells
Summary
The city approved a Valley Water Collaborative water fill station at Riverbluff Park to give residents on private wells access to potable water; Valley Water will pay installation and weekly maintenance, and the station will operate on city water within park hours. Some council members raised concerns about location and park hours.
The Series City Council voted on July 28 to allow the Valley Water Collaborative to install and operate a potable water fill station at Riverbluff Park aimed at residents who rely on private wells contaminated by nitrates.
Valley Water executive Curry Clawson told the council the station is intended to serve households outside the city’s water service area that have tested high for nitrate in groundwater. Clawson said Valley Water will pay for installation, weekly maintenance and the water supply for the initial pilot, and staff will perform routine monitoring. "We're going to pay for the maintenance of that installation," he said, adding the agency will provide weekly cleaning and servicing.
Public works Superintendent Joshua Kasus said the unit will be connected to the city’s distribution system so the same treated city water provided to households will be dispensed at the station. Kasus confirmed the units include internal filtration and reverse‑osmosis systems typical for publicly sited fill stations.
Council members asked about hours of access, equity and whether Riverbluff is the best initial location. Mayor Javier Lopez and Vice Mayor Daniel A. Martinez were among those who supported the pilot and noted Valley Water identified Riverbluff because it is close to priority areas of affected private wells. Martinez said park hours (dawn to dusk) mean the station will not be available round the clock and residents will need to plan visits accordingly. Resident John Warren asked whether 24‑hour access was being considered; staff said parks remain closed after dusk.
Valley Water and City staff said the pilot is one of several steps to demonstrate to state regulators that the region is providing broader access to safe drinking water beyond bottled-water deliveries. The council approved the item on a 4–1 roll call, with Council Member Otto voting no, citing concerns about placement and unintended impacts on nearby property uses.
Council directed staff to work with Valley Water on final site details and to return if additional approvals or site changes are needed. The station is planned as a pilot; partners said they will evaluate turnout and whether additional sites are needed in other affected basins.
