The residents of the unincorporated Rio Verde foothills area of Maricopa County are one step closer to securing water thanks to the passage of a striker bill, SB 1432. The bill passed on a bipartisan supermajority vote, which will take effect immediately should Governor Katie Hobbs choose to sign it.
The bill addresses the needs of Rio Verde foothills area residents who get water from Scottsdale via a standpipe and trucks that bring the water to underground tanks on their property. They have been without water since January 1st when the city of Scottsdale ceased providing them with water.
The EPCOR private water company has agreed to provide a long-term solution to install their own water standpipe but that cannot be accomplished for approximately two years. In the interim the City of Scottsdale has agreed to provide water to the residents through EPCOR but states that they will only sign a contract with a government entity as the go between party between them and EPCOR.
If signed, Rio Verde residents will once again have access to water service until EPCOR can obtain legal authorization to serve the community on a more permanent basis.
“The people of the Rio Verde Foothills can sleep more soundly this evening knowing that the bill to provide them water until a private company sets up a permanent supply passed out of the legislature and will probably be signed by the governor,” said Sen. John Kavanagh, who fought for what many say is a sound solution. “The journey to passage was complicated, twisting, and fraught with disappointment. But in the end, a reasonable bill was passed. It gives the people of the Rio Verde Foothills water and contains all of the assurances and protections that the City of Scottsdale requested.”
“Hopefully, the bill will also dispel the false rumor that Arizona is running out of water, a rumor that can harm our economy development and future prosperity,” concluded Kavanagh.