November 28, 2023 — Residents of Arizona’s Rio Verde Foothills faced a water crisis after Scottsdale stopped supplying water through its standpipe in January. State legislation temporarily restored water access until 2025. The Arizona Corporation Commission is now considering a permanent solution proposed by EPCOR, a private utility. The Commission’s hearing begins at 9:00 AM on Wednesday.
Arizona’s public radio KJZZ reports that EPCOR has presented four potential solutions to supply water to Rio Verde Foothills. These include utilizing Scottsdale’s infrastructure at a cost of around $1 million, or building their own infrastructure, with costs ranging from $1 million to over $12 million. However, Scottsdale is unlikely to cooperate with the first two lower-cost options.
Judge’s Recommendations and Controversies.
KJZZ reports that Administrative Law Judge Charles Hains suggested several guidelines for EPCOR’s service, including a contentious $24,000 hook-up fee to fund the construction. This fee, while aligning with Commission policy, is opposed by residents due to financial burdens. Hains also proposed time limits for service applications, with different deadlines for occupied and unoccupied properties. EPCOR aims to restrict applications to homes built by January 1, 2024, to manage water supply efficiently.
The Arizona Corporation Commission’s decision on this matter will shape the future of water supply for the Rio Verde Foothills community, balancing infrastructure costs, resident affordability, and sustainable water management.
Since 1995, Deborah has owned and operated LegalTech LLC with a focus on water rights. Before moving to Arizona in 1986, she worked as a quality control analyst for Honeywell and in commercial real estate, both in Texas. She learned about Arizona's water rights from the late and great attorney Michael Brophy of Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite. Her side interests are writing (and reading), Wordpress programming and much more.
The EPA finalized a rule establishing a national framework to protect water quality where Tribes hold treaty rights, ensuring consistent consideration of Tribal needs under the Clean Water Act.
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