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.

• PDF link to Arizona Corporation Commission’s November 29 agenda (EPCOR case is Item 18).
• Link to live stream (and archives) of the Arizona Corporation Commision.

EPCOR’s Proposals and Costs.

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.