Council hears options on reservoir stratification testing and emergency-funding paths for water system

City staff reported to council on the condition of Mabton's water system, emergency-funding opportunities and options for reservoir stratification testing at the May 12 meeting.

Jamin briefed the council on recent and planned testing: a drone temperature profile and chlorine sampling conducted last September found no evidence of sustained stratification under those conditions, but current reservoir levels (roughly two-thirds full) limit the ability to detect worst-case summer stratification. "We dropped our drone through the reservoir, checked temperature. We didn't find any any evidence of stratification," he said, adding that low tank levels now mean a test might not capture the conditions the city is worried about.

Staff offered three options: (1) proceed now with a drone-based test (which would be limited because chlorine sampling is not possible at the present water height), (2) postpone testing until next summer when tanks may be fuller and heat risks are higher, or (3) cancel the testing program. Jamin also described funding paths: preconstruction grants that improve competitiveness for later construction funding and emergency-funding cycles that can address high-priority pump or short-term fixes. Council members expressed interest in prioritizing source and treatment upgrades and instructed staff to continue technical analysis, coordinate with DOH as needed and pursue appropriate grant applications.

No formal vote was required at the meeting; staff will return with further analysis and recommendations.