Near Scottsdale, Arizona. – The battle for water in rural Arizona is gaining national and global attention.

Since January 1, residents of the Rio Verde Foothills community have lost access to water after the City of Scottsdale ended water service to the area. Residents have lost access to water and have fought to restore water supplies.

Here’s what you need to know about the situation and how the town got there.

Why did Rio Verde residents lose their water supply?

In short, this is a combination of the prolonged drought Arizona is experiencing and the responsibility (or lack thereof) of local governments.

Covered the looming water problem for the first time back in 2021when residents received a notice from the City of Scottsdale, said that as a result of the city’s drought management plan, the city’s water utility will limit the carrying of water to those living within the city limits.

According to the city’s announcement scheduleunless a water hauling customer can clearly demonstrate that the water hauled is being supplied directly to a Scottsdale resident or Scottsdale business when Scottsdale enters Stage 1 of the plan. It is necessary to stop the transportation business.

“Rio Verde is a separate community not managed by the City of Scottsdale but by Maricopa County,” read part of a fact sheet issued by the City of Scottsdale on Rio Verde’s water problems. “Scottsdale has long warned and advised Rioverde not to take responsibility, especially given the requirements of the city’s mandated drought plan.”

Scottsdale said it had given Rio Verde foothills residents and Maricopa County ample warning that it would be without water forever.

Additionally, Scottsdale City officials said that because the city has a water recycling program, providing water to residents of the Rio Verde Foothills means the city will not be able to recover most of that water for recycling. I said I meant.

Is Scottsdale the only city taking water-saving measures?

No.

Given the current drought conditions, many cities in the Phoenix area are implementing water conservation measures.

Some cities, such as Mesa, Tempe, and Glendale, have set targets for reducing water use, while others, such as Phoenix and Chandler, have phased their drought management plans focused on education. It is said that it is in

read more: Arizona cities taking steps to conserve water amid drought: Here’s what you need to know

How much water does Scottsdale supply to the Rio Verde area?

Previously, a water supplier purchased water from a Scottsdale water station and delivered it to Rio Verde residents for a fee.

according to memo The city provides about 117 acre feet of water each year to the Rio Verde foothills region, according to a December 2022 announcement by Scottsdale city officials.

117 acre feet translates into roughly over 38 million gallons of water.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey website, one million gallons of water can fill 25,000 tubs. Based on that calculation, 38 million gallons of water can fill approximately 950,000 bathtubs.

in the meantime, data According to the USGS, the average Arizonan uses 146 gallons of water per day. On that basis, 38 million gallons of water is equivalent to the water needs of approximately 713 Arizonans in her one year.

How many people will be affected by the Scottsdale decision?

Previous reports noted that although many of the 2,000 properties in the area have their own well water, over 500 homes depend on Scottsdale water.

“It’s not just numbers. It’s family,” John Honewer said in a December 2022 interview.

What are residents saying about the blackout?

In November 2021, residents expressed shock and fear at the impending water outage.

“If you can’t figure this out, you’re going to lose all the assets of your home, and even some,” said one resident. “There is nothing left. There are no options.”

In 2022, that fear has intensified.

“People are scared, frustrated and angry that we are in this situation,” said Karen Naviti. am”

What are residents doing to get new water sources?

Efforts were made in the area to start a new Domestic Water Improvement District (DWID).

According to DWID information Provided by Coconino County, it is an Arizona quasi-municipal corporation, governed by state law and governed by a “locally elected board of directors composed of property owners within the community.”

by website As one of the DWIDs serving the community near Payson, DWID has many powers, including the power to raise funds and provide potable water within its boundaries.

“Rates may be set and adjusted appropriately without approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission,” reads part of the website.

However, not everyone is on board with DWID’s plans. Some people expressed concerns about whether DWID would be representative of the community as a whole. Others, on the other hand, are concerned that DWID will give some residents too much power over others, and the unknown costs and difficulties of running such an entity, as well as government overreach. expressed.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted against the constituency August 2022.

latest update

January 25th

An Arizona judge said the flaps were not in the court’s interest and would not force Scottsdale to reopen arrangements allowing residents of neighboring communities to obtain water from the city’s standpipes. increase.

Maricopa County Judge Joanne Sinclair said in an order released this week that people living in the Rio Verde foothills have not shown that the city has caused them irreparable harm, and that residents of the area should be allowed to live elsewhere. He said that he could get water from

Sinclair said the court “recognises the difficulties inherent in allocating dwindling water resources” but cannot make water policy decisions on behalf of the appropriate authorities.

Sinclair’s order, which rejected residents’ requests for an injunction to force Scottsdale to temporarily reopen water arrangements, was a victory for the city.

January 23rd

As Rio Verde’s water supply crisis continues, a private utility called EPCOR has shown interest in building infrastructure to supply water.

In a notice posted by the company, websiteEPCOR officials say they have submitted an application to the Arizona Business Commission for approval to provide standpipe water service to the community.

“EPCOR is proposing to set the Fee for Foothills Standpipe at $20.00 per 1,000 gallons,” read part of the notice.

For comparison, Scottsdale has tiered water ratio Single-family homes will be charged $1.65 per 1,000 gallons for the first 5,000 gallons (excluding base rate and other surcharges). After that, the charges increase according to the amount of water used.

Dozens of Rio Verde residents expressed their views during a public comment session in front of the Arizona Business Commission. Some attendees say they want utility companies to intervene.

“If they didn’t drill holes in our aquifers, if everyone had access to water and if the price was affordable, I would support EPCOR 100%,” said one person.

“They are in the water business,” said Christie Blackman. “They know what they are doing, they know where the water is and they can do this. [Arizona Corporation Commission] to move. ”

The Scottsdale City Council will meet on January 24 to discuss a petition requesting the city to enter into an agreement with EPCOR to treat and deliver water to residents of Rio Verde.

January 18th

A homeowner in an unincorporated Maricopa County community has sued Scottsdale, demanding it restore access to the city’s water supply.

“The City of Scottsdale is subjecting plaintiffs and their families to an undue amount of stress and anxiety by cutting off their domestic water supply. Flushing toilets is a well-known basic necessity.”

read more: Rio Verde residents sue Scottsdale to restore access to water amid drought

The court ultimately upheld Scottsdale in the lawsuit.

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