Arizona Corporation Commissioners addressed comments made during six public comment sessions Tuesday and Wednesday by voting to investigate Johnson Utilities, LLC water and wastewater services. Remarkably, the commissioners voted unanimously to an emergency action and directed staff to begin an investigation.
All five commissioners attended at least one of the six public comment meetings in San Tan Valley. During each two-hour session, commissioners listened to frustrated customers detailing a long history of poor customer service, billing, odor, and water quality concerns..
Commissioner Bob Burns asked staff to investigate water quality affecting health and safety, meter reading, and billing practices. Commissioners agreed and also raised concern with several customer comments suggesting they feared retaliation by the utility if they complained about their water and wastewater service.
Commissioner Justin Olson noted that there were far too many similar comments made throughout the meetings to be coincidental and suggested the Commissioners take immediate action.
Commission staff was directed to begin its investigation immediately and report back to the commissioners on or before the next commission meeting March 13.