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Tusayan council hears update from water operator on repairs, remote monitoring and possible new well
Summary
Central States Water Resources/Cactus State Utility told the Tusayan Town Council it has repaired infrastructure, installed a remote monitoring system called "High Tide," and spent about $70,000 replacing a critical variable frequency drive; the company said it is planning smart meters and exploring a possible additional well, potentially with WIFA support.
Fred Kriess, regional director for Central States Water Resources/Cactus State Utility in Arizona, told the Tusayan Town Council on May 12 that the town's water system is "overall in good shape" and described recent fixes and a plan for ongoing improvements.
Kriess said the operator installed a remote monitoring system called "High Tide" that provides real-time data on storage tank levels, well status, pressure, runtime and amperage, and that the system continued reporting even when local internet was down. He said the company paid roughly $70,000 to replace a critical variable frequency drive at the main well "the brains of the system" before final ownership transfer.
Kriess outlined next steps including the planned deployment of smart meters on wells to compare water pumped versus water sold to help locate losses, further monitoring enhancements, and exploration of an additional well. He said the company is considering low-interest financing from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) for a potential new well and emphasized improved day-to-day communication with town staff.
Mayor Clarinda Vail thanked Kriess for the presentation and for offering to attend a community awareness meeting; the council expressed appreciation for site visits and direct contacts rather than relying solely on a corporate hotline.
No formal council action on utility policy or finance was recorded in the minutes; the presentation was informational and followed by routine consent business.
