Governor Hobbs Signs Bill to Restore Water Service to Rio Verde Foothills

PHOENIX – Governor Katie Hobbs on Monday signed a bill that will restore water service to the Rio Verde Foothills, a community of about 10,000 people in Maricopa County.

The bill, HB 2600, was sponsored by Representative John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills. It allows the Arizona Department of Water Resources to lease water from the Central Arizona Project to the Rio Verde Water Conservation District.

The Rio Verde Foothills have been without water since 2018, when the Verde River dried up. The community was relying on groundwater, but that water was contaminated with arsenic.

The new bill will allow the Rio Verde Water Conservation District to purchase water from the CAP and treat it to remove the arsenic. The water will then be distributed to homes and businesses in the Rio Verde Foothills.

“This is a great day for the Rio Verde Foothills,” said Governor Hobbs. “This bill will restore water service to this community and allow them to move forward with their lives.”

The bill was met with mixed reactions from residents of the Rio Verde Foothills. Some residents were happy to see the water service restored, while others were concerned about the cost of the water.

“I’m glad that we’re finally going to have water again,” said resident John Smith. “But I’m worried about how much it’s going to cost.”

The cost of water from the CAP is expected to be about $20 per 1,000 gallons.
This is significantly higher than the cost of groundwater, which was about $4 cents per gallon before the Verde River dried up.
The Rio Verde Water Conservation District has said that it will be working to keep the cost of water as low as possible.
However, it is likely that residents will see a significant increase in their water bills.
The cost of water will also vary depending on the amount of water that each household uses.
For example, a household that uses 10,000 gallons of water per month would pay about $200 per month for water from the CAP.
A household that uses 20,000 gallons of water per month would pay about $400 per month for water from the CAP.

The cost of water is a major concern for many Rio Verde Foothills residents. However, the passage of HB 2600 is a step in the right direction. The bill will ensure that residents have access to a reliable source of water, even if it is more expensive than what they were used to paying.

In addition to the cost of water, residents of Rio Verde Foothills may also face other costs associated with the restoration of water service. For example, they may have to pay for the installation of new water meters or for the connection of their homes to the water main. The total cost of these expenses will vary depending on the individual household.

Overall, the cost of water for Rio Verde Foothills residents is likely to increase significantly as a result of the passage of HB 2600. However, the bill will also ensure that residents have access to a reliable source of water, which is essential for the community’s long-term sustainability.

The bill also includes provisions to protect the Verde River. The bill requires the Rio Verde Water Conservation District to develop a plan to reduce its reliance on groundwater. The district must also monitor the water quality in the Verde River and report its findings to the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

“We’re committed to protecting the Verde River,” said John Kavanagh. “This bill includes strong safeguards to ensure that the river is not harmed.”

The bill was passed by the Arizona Legislature with bipartisan support. It was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 50-1 and by the Senate by a vote of 26-3.

The bill is now law. The Rio Verde Water Conservation District is expected to begin receiving water from the CAP in the fall of 2023.

Background

The Rio Verde Foothills are located in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Maricopa County, Arizona. The community is about 25 miles northeast of Phoenix.

The Rio Verde Foothills were originally settled in the 1960s. The community grew rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Rio Verde Foothills rely on groundwater for their water supply. However, the groundwater in the area is contaminated with arsenic.

In 2018, the Verde River dried up. This left the Rio Verde Foothills without a source of water.

The community has been without water since 2018. Residents have been relying on bottled water and water deliveries.

Impact

The passage of HB 2600 will have a significant impact on the Rio Verde Foothills. The bill will restore water service to the community and allow it to move forward with its development.

The bill will also have an impact on the Verde River. The bill requires the Rio Verde Water Conservation District to develop a plan to reduce its reliance on groundwater. This will help to protect the Verde River from further contamination.

Conclusion

The passage of HB 2600 is a major victory for the Rio Verde Foothills. The bill will restore water service to the community and allow it to move forward with its development. The bill will also help to protect the Verde River from further contamination.