After more than two years, the unincorporated metro Phoenix community of Rio Verde Foothills now has a permanent water source.
The unincorporated community about 30 miles north of Scottsdale has a population of about 2,200 people, according to the 2020 census.
It had relied on water from Scottsdale until 2023. When Colorado River cuts were implemented, the city stopped supplying Rio Verde Foothills.
Now the Canadian-based EPCOR Utilities, which also serves Fountain Hills, has finished construction of a water pipeline and filling station, allowing residents to refill water daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The community had little water for about 10 months until EPCOR started hauling it in while constructing the permanent pipeline.
Resident Leigh Harris Avril says it’s $75 a month to access, plus 16 cents per gallon.
“$300 a month for water. $300 a month for electricity can outprice and out-stage many, many families here," Avril said.
The water is only available to residents who applied to tap into EPCOR’s station.
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Arizona is considering pumping water from a desalination plant on the Gulf of California to boost its water supply, but would need buy-in from Mexico.
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Thursday marks the kickoff of the third annual International Atmospheric Water Harvesting Summit, hosted at Arizona State University.
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Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren made his third annual state address in Shiprock on Tuesday, outlining his administration’s accomplishments amid ongoing efforts to remove him from office before his term expires this year.
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Gov. Katie Hobbs announced in her annual State of the State address on Monday that a depleted groundwater basin in La Paz county will now be subject to conservation measures.
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And now let’s turn to Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro. The Show spoke with him about the governor’s speech, what he makes of some of her proposals and the GOP’s priorities for the upcoming session.