Gilbert uses drones to fight midges, protect water

Gilbert public officials addressed their plans to use a new drone, among other strategies, to balance midge fly concerns with the demand for reclaimed water in the town.

The Gilbert Public Works Department hosted an event Thursday evening where community members could speak to public works officials and learn about water recharge facilities and dealing with midge flies.

The event focused on the town's efforts to mitigate midge fly issues while still focusing on utilizing reclaimed water to prepare Gilbert for future water shortages. The strategies include a new agricultural drone that will spread larvicide across the basins of the water recharge facilities.

Roy Hicken, reclaimed water supervisor for the town of Gilbert, said he and an observer will operate this drone every two weeks, spreading the larvicide, to reduce the population of midge flies in the area.

Midge flies are small insects that live around bodies of water such as the basins of wastewater facilities. They are not necessarily harmful to humans but have been a frustration for Gilbert residents living near the facilities.

The recharge facilities have been utilized for decades throughout Gilbert to provide reclaimed water for residents. Reclaimed water makes up approximately 15% of Gilbert’s water resources and is used in place of drinking water for purposes like landscape irrigation.

The drone, displayed at the event, is the newest addition to Gilbert’s plans to deal with midge flies. Other strategies the city uses are nighttime fogging and the introduction of larvae-eating fish.

In the wake of recent water reductions from the Colorado River, Patricia Jordan, supervisor for the water recharge facilities, said she has seen more support for water recharge operations within Gilbert.

However, as the town begins to rely more on reclaimed water facilities, the need for strategies to deal with midge flies may grow as well.

“We’ll never fully eradicate them, but we will find a happy balance,” Jordan said.

For some employees, dealing with midge flies is not simply a task at work. Stefan Walston, water and energy resources planning adviser, lives near a facility and experiences the midge flies firsthand.

“The midge flies can be an absolute nuisance,” Walston said. “But recharge is so valuable to the town's ability to ultimately meet the daily demand of water consumption.”

Walston expressed confidence in the town’s ability to deal with future water shortages and emphasized the importance of public water education.

Edward Meza, interim wastewater superintendent, also highlighted the value of education and residents working in unison with the city to deal with midge flies.

Meza said using warmer toned outdoor lighting, clearing standing water on properties and directing fans toward open windows and doors can help residents deal with the insects.

“Those minimal things can make a big difference,” Meza said.

Despite low turnout at the event, Gilbert employees expressed optimism about the town’s ability to deal with the midge flies while optimizing their water recharge operations.

Public Works Assistant Director Ken Snow emphasized the need to responsibly manage infrastructure while supporting residents’ quality of life.

“I don't want our residents to be affected by insect activity,” Snow said. “I want them to enjoy their homes, enjoy their community, but I also want them to have water in the future, so there's a balance that we have to make.”

Sophia Keeling is a student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

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