PHOENIX — The loss of water service in the Rio Verde Foothills has become a symbol of Arizona’s failure to cope with a major drought.

The now unincorporated desert district north of Scottsdale could symbolize something else. A rare collaboration between four levels of government to restore water services.

Nearly eight weeks after Scottsdale shut off water that served about 300 homes for decades, the city council is set to vote at its 5 p.m. meeting on Tuesday. Draft Contract with Maricopa County This will restore water service for at least two years.

A “yes” vote could initiate negotiations between Scottsdale City management and the county to restore services.

Here’s what we know about the proposed agreement and what’s coming next.

AG’s opinion was groundbreaking

The proposed deal has come together quickly in the past few weeks.

The breakthrough was Legal Opinion by Attorney General Chris Mays Office It was drafted in a few days.

This allows Maricopa County to contract with Scottsdale or a water supplier “to maintain sanitation and public health … urgently.”

“It had to be fast, and we really dropped everything to get this done,” says Mayes.

Democratic AG said the emergency was due to concerns that “we think people are within weeks of water shortages.”

The opinion was sought by Grove Republican Congressman David Cook, who sought to mediate the crisis despite representing the Pinal County community.

what the proposed deal does

The mayor, who disdained the plight of Rio Verde residents just two months ago, has set out to help them unless Scottsdale water is used.

“They’re not Scottsdale stepchildren,” Ortega said in an interview with “Sunday Square Off” this weekend.

“Scottsdale has consistently delivered the message that problems have arisen at the county and state level.”

Ortega and the city council can move forward with the proposed deal in a vote on Tuesday night.

Ortega signed a deal for the city to purchase water for the Rio Verde Foothills north of Scottsdale.

The city resells the water to Maricopa County. The waterways remain part of the Scottsdale City water system.

The county hauled or paid contractors to haul water from the Scottsdale standpipe to about 300 homes in the desert foothills.

For decades Scottsdale has provided water service to the Rio Verde Foothills. The city shut off supplies on Jan. 1 after months of warning residents about the impending deadline.

So-called “wildcat subdivisions” do not have residential water infrastructure.

Ortega said Scottsdale must ensure water supplies for its residents in the face of potential water cuts on the Colorado River. The Colorado River supplies about 60% of Scottsdale’s water.

where does the water come from?

If Scottsdale does not supply the Rio Verde Foothills from existing water supplies, where will the new water sources be?

Ortega made conflicting statements during and after the “Sunday Square Off” interview.

In “Sunday Square Off,” Ortega said Scottsdale’s water supplier, the Gila River Indian Community, will provide more water.

After taping the show on Friday, 12News reached out to tribal representatives for comment. Answer: Tribes do not provide water.

When questioned about the tribe’s response, Ortega texted “CRIT” (Colorado River Indian Tribe).

On Sunday evening, 48 hours after the taping, after “Sunday Square Off” aired, Ortega said, “I made a mistake.”

“Certainly I was thinking of CRIT and shouldn’t have mentioned GRIC,” he texted.

Ortega and I discussed the possible role of the Gila River Indian community three times during our “Square Off” conversation, and again after the taping.

Ortega said he planned to correct the mistake in a statement Monday. 12News has not requested comment from the Colorado River Tribe.

The city’s responsibility to select water providers could become a sticking point in negotiations over the Rio Verde Accord.

Ortega has refused to accept the option of using EPCOR, a private water supplier that offers a long-term solution for bringing water to the hill country.

How much does water cost?

Under the proposed contract, customers’ water bills could triple based on what Scottsdale charges the county for water.

Will builders get the green light?

The Rio Verde water crisis has put a spotlight on Arizona’s lax laws governing water use.

Under Arizona law, the builders of the unincorporated Rio Verde Foothills are not required to show their homes a guaranteed 100-year supply of water like other developments. In the so-called “wildcat subdivision”, 500 homes have no water infrastructure.

If water service resumes, will that give home builders the green light to resume construction?

Ortega said only existing Rio Verde water accounts will be serviced as of December 31, 2022.

The proposed agreement would also require the county to establish a moratorium on new housing in the area.

what does the county say?

Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin represents an area that includes the Rio Verde Foothills and Scottsdale. He has been working on finding a solution for over a year of his.

In a Twitter thread last week, he said, “I am confident that we can work together to find an agreement on a short-term plan.”

EPCOR’s long-term plan to provide water services to Rio Verde requires approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission. It may take 2-3 years to install.

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