EPCOR and Rio Verde Foothills
Residents in the unincorporated Rio Verde Foothills community have long relied on water delivered by private water haulers from a municipal source, a source that was unavailable to them after December 31, 2022.
We were asked to propose a solution that would provide safe and reliable water over the longer term. EPCOR’s proposal to do that through a water station accessible to private and state-licensed water hauling providers and local residents who have established accounts with EPCOR was approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) on November 30, 2023.
Learn about the short-term water solution in place.
Permanent standpipe service
EPCOR was approved to provide standpipe water service on a permanent basis to the Rio Verde Foothills community. In order to provide such service, EPCOR will design and construct a water filling station and any other facilities necessary to provide the service (the “standpipe”) and which is accessible to state-licensed water hauling providers.
Those persons with occupied homes as of the date of the ACC’s Decision No. 79199 (December 12, 2023) and up to 150 property owners who have paid the hook-up fee at the time of account creation. The project will take 24 to 36 months to build, however Rio Verde Foothills residents are required to apply for enrollment for permanent service in advance of the standpipe becoming commercially operable.
Rio Verde Foothills residents in occupied homes who want water service from EPCOR’s standpipe must complete and submit a customer application in to be included as either a full requirements or standby customer. Once receiving service from the standpipe, these customers will pay the tariffed rates then approved and on file with the ACC. Property owners who do not have occupied residences (up to 150) will be considered “enrolled customers” and subject to paying the hook-up fee to eventually receive service as a full or standby customer. The deadline for applying to be a customer is June 1, 2024, per the ACC’s decision.
How to apply for water service
Eligibility
Existing Homes: Any homeowner with an existing and occupied residence within the Rio Verde Foothills service area as of December 12, 2023, can apply for water service from the future water hauling station that needs to be built.
New Builds: Homes not built and occupied by December 12, 2023, within the Rio Verde Foothills service area, can also apply for water service from the future water hauling station. However, approval will be limited to 150 homes – a lottery will be held if more than 150 applications are received. Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2024.
NOTE: Landowners with homes built and occupied after December 12, 2023, that have been approved for service must complete payment of the required $24,000 hook-up fee before an account can be created. If the account is not created within 45 days of notification of eligibility from EPCOR the eligibility approval will expire.