ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona lawmaker sends letters to AG, Scottsdale officials about Rio Verde Foothills water issue

Jan 28, 2023, 9:38 AM | Updated: 9:39 am

(Pexels Photo)...

(Pexels Photo)

(Pexels Photo)

PHOENIX — An Arizona lawmaker this week sent letters to Attorney General Kris Mayes and Scottsdale officials in an ongoing attempt to help find a solution to water being cut off from residents of Rio Verde Foothills.

Republican Rep. David Cook asked Mayes whether a county board of supervisors could enter into a short-term lease agreement with a willing government entity or private company to supply water to the about 500 homes located in unincorporated Maricopa County northeast of Scottsdale.

“Under such an agreement, the parties would agree to have that water with the City run through their water treatment system, with the City’s agreement and approval to a location or point of source for residents and businesses,” Cook wrote in the letter, adding the contract would last three years.

“This proposed solution would bridge the gap for the short term until the long-term solution can be realized.”

Cook said three years would allow the long-term solution of the area going through a process with the Arizona Corporation Commission to assign a utility company and the needed infrastructure to be built to supply water.

Scottsdale told residents of Rio Verde Foothills in 2021 that the water service being provided for more than 30 years would cease at the end of 2022, with the city following through with that promise on Jan. 1.

Residents of the community responded by suing Scottsdale earlier this month while they use up the last of the water that was delivered in late December.

In the letter to Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega and city councilmembers, Cook urged for the moratorium to be lifted for at least 30 days to allow time to receive Mayes’ response.

“Losing access to that source of water is proving to be a significant hardship for those families who have relied on it,” Cook wrote. “Securing a new, long-term source of water is not a quick or easy task.”

Cook met with Scottsdale officials last week on the issue and said he thought the meeting went well and things were moving in the right direction.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Integrated Biometrics Chandler Arizona 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Integrated Biometrics expanding its Chandler research facility

PHOENIX — Companies curious about incorporating biometrics into their workflows can now visit a Chandler research facility to test new technologies through interactive exhibits. Integrated Biometrics, a South Carolina-based company, has a facility in Chandler near Kyrene Road and Chandler Boulevard. The company recently expanded its Chandler facility by around 8,000 square feet, according to […]

54 minutes ago

Arizona State Parks and Trails will raise fees....

Lance Hartzler

Arizona State Parks and Trails fees to increase at more than 30 locations

PHOENIX — Visitors to Arizona parks and trails are going to be paying a little more starting on Feb. 25. Arizona State Parks and Trails, which does not rely on taxpayer dollars to operate parks, announced Thursday that the agency will increase fees on entrances, camping and tour tickets for its 33 locations to help […]

1 hour ago

fentanyl pills, fentanyl bust Phoenix...

KTAR.com

Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Feb. 7-9

Here are some of the top Valley news stories from Feb. 7-9, including a Phoenix man being pulled over with more than 100,000 fentanyl pills.

13 hours ago

Economists foresee labor shortages in construction and agriculture as a result of President Donald ...

Matthew DeWees and Katrina Michalak/Cronkite News

Donald Trump’s mass deportations could mean higher costs and labor shortages in Arizona

Deportations ordered by President Trump could hit Arizona’s agriculture and construction sectors hard, pushing up prices for shoppers.

17 hours ago

Immigration Arizona criminal charges 565 people USAO...

Payne Moses

More than 500 charged with immigration-related crime in Arizona over recent 2-week period

From Jan. 21-Feb. 3, a total of 565 people were charged with illegal immigration activity by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

19 hours ago

Two Valley freeway ramps will be closed for the next two months....

Kevin Stone

2 Valley on-ramps closing for 2 months as part of freeway improvement projects

A couple of metro Phoenix freeway ramps are closing for the next two months as part of ongoing improvement projects.

23 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Arizona lawmaker sends letters to AG, Scottsdale officials about Rio Verde Foothills water issue