Tap dance: Anthem water flowing into Desert Hills
Temporary or permanent situation?
by Jennifer Krahe

DESERT HILLS/ANTHEM – A temporary solution to the dearth of water at Desert Hills Water Company (DHW) should permit customers to breathe a little easier after the company’s recent supply problems. As of June 6, a tie‑in water line was opened between DHW and Arizona American Water Company, Anthem’s supplier. 

“Opening up this temporary line should have tremendous impact, but now we have to verify that it’s successful,” Brian McNeil, executive director of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), said the following morning.

“Arizona American is supplying 300 gallons a minute,” McNeil reported.

According to an e‑mail from Arizona American Water received by Lace Collins, executive consultant with the ACC, 247,000 gallons of water had passed through the pipeline to Desert Hills customers in the first day (June 7) the tie‑in was open.

“The 247,000 gallons was for them (DHW) to refill, as I understand it, two tanks,” explained Tom Broderick, manager of rates and regulatory affairs for Arizona American. He added that the initial amount pumped to DHW over the course of that first day was probably more than what would be the average over subsequent days.

On Monday of this week, Tom Broderick reported that Arizona American has drafted a water‑supply agreement and passed it to Desert Hills Water, but had not yet received it back from DHW. “It’s possible they signed it, but we haven’t received it,” he said.

“We’re hoping to get it (the contract) signed soon,” Broderick continued. “We’re selling them (DHW) water and we don’t like doing that without an agreement signed.” The contract between DHW and Arizona American is not permanent. Broderick said it will be in effect until October 15.

Collins reported a few calls still coming in to the corporation commission this past Friday morning from residents in the original square mile that initially experienced the brunt of the water shortage. “They did have low pressure and some problems,” she stated, “but no outages.”

Although the water seems to be flowing a bit more consistently, confusion still remained as to the effective date of the Stage 4 curtailment notice (prohibiting irrigation and washing vehicles) stamped “Urgent” and delivered to DHW customers June 3. “Regardless, the curtailment is in effect,” said Collins. 

As far as the tie‑in line as a solution to DHW’s problems, the opinions of the parties involved are inconclusive. Will it be temporary or permanent?

“The tie‑in is for a short‑term basis to help out,” McNeil said. “Things like dropping a deeper well are also permanent solutions,” he added, alluding to the fact that DHW needs to increase its water supply and an Arizona American tie‑in is not the only solution.  

Arizona American’s Broderick echoed McNeil’s statement, saying, “This is a temporary solution. It’s an above‑ground, rented pipe.”  When asked how and when Arizona American would wean DHW off of the tie‑in, Broderick explained it was “too early” to tell how DHW would get back fully on their feet.

Speculation persists among residents of Desert Hills that Arizona American will eventually put the line underground, running it through the infamous access gate between Desert Hills and Anthem.

“That is a technical option,” Broderick said. “It’s physically feasible to do that, but there are lots of commercial terms, right‑of‑way and easements–other issues like that–so you’d never do an underground pipe for an emergency; that would be only long term.”

Should the pipe go underground, then the signal to the involved communities could be that the DHW‑Arizona American tie‑in is permanent. But Broderick would not entertain such speculation at this juncture, although he made it clear that an underground pipeline is within the companies’ discussion.

Broderick went on to point out, however, that there are two water companies involved with the pipeline, DHW and his company, and he couldn’t speak for DHW. “There are options–Desert Hills drills more wells or goes to Global Water (parent of Cave Creek Water Co.) rather than a new contract,” he offered. “There are others, but this is just two.” 

On Tuesday of this week, some residents of Desert Hills reported receiving a notice from DHW saying the Stage 4 curtailment had been reduced to a less‑severe Stage 2 for most of the company’s customers. 

“We are happy to report that with the conservation efforts of our customers, along with a new emergency supply arrangement with Arizona American Water Company, 90% of our system is now at Stage 2 Alert,” the letter reads. 

A call to Desert Hills Water Company confirmed the mailing, sent to residents on Saturday. However, DHW maintains the area from 16th to 24th streets and Cloud to Joy Ranch roads remains in a Stage 4 curtailment.  

But according to the corporation commission’s Collins, “Desert Hills Water can’t do that. They can’t send letters out singling out that one area (16th to 24th/Cloud to Joy Ranch).” Per an ACC utility complaint log supplied to The Desert Advocate, “...lifting of Stage 4 curtailment cannot be restrictive to any portion of her (Mary Beth Rowland’s) CC&N.” 

As explained by Collins, “We ask them (DHW) how much water is in their storage tanks and then we (ACC) determine what level curtailment they’re at. We’re imagining it will possibly be a Level 2 for the entire system.” She also related that the area from 16th to 24th streets and Cloud to Joy Ranch roads is still being supported by Cave Creek Water Company.

A Special Open Meeting about the Desert Hills water situation is scheduled for June 16 at 9 a.m.  It will be held in the first floor Hearing Room of the ACC, 1200 W. Washington St., Phoenix.