Rio Verde Foothills, a desert community in Arizona, has finally secured a permanent water supply after a three-year drought. The city of Scottsdale had previously cut off its water supply, leaving residents without access to a reliable source. This move sparked controversy, as it highlighted the vulnerability of communities without reliable water services during droughts. EPCOR, a Canadian utility company, stepped in to provide a solution, investing over $10 million to build a pipeline and standpipe for the residents.
The story begins with a bold statement: 'Three years after the city of Scottsdale left Rio Verde Foothills high and dry, the unincorporated desert community has a new permanent water supply.' This introduction sets the tone and captures the audience's attention, emphasizing the core issue. But here's where it gets interesting: the community's previous water supply was cut off due to Scottsdale's decision to prioritize its own residents' water needs. This decision sparked a legal battle, with Scottsdale arguing that it had no legal obligation to continue the arrangement.
EPCOR's involvement began with a collaboration with the city of Scottsdale, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and the Arizona Corporation Commission. After a series of negotiations, the ACC granted EPCOR the right and obligation to provide water service to Rio Verde Foothills customers. During this time, EPCOR supplied the community with water using Scottsdale's infrastructure in a temporary arrangement that ended on December 31, 2025.
Now, Rio Verde Foothills residents can access their water at an EPCOR station just south of the community. The utility company pumps groundwater through a pipeline into a standpipe, which acts as a filling station. Customers can fill their water trucks and haul water to their homes. EPCOR will recover the upfront costs of building the infrastructure through customer rates, and residents can set up an account for water service on the company's website.
The story concludes with a call to action, inviting readers to share their thoughts and ideas with the KTAR News team. It also mentions the number of homes that relied on water from Scottsdale before the cut-off and the number of homes that have signed up for the new standpipe, providing a sense of the community's progress and the success of the new water supply.
