Water company hoses fire department
by Kathleen Stinson

ANTHEM – Daisy Mountain Fire District has been forced to pay Arizona‑American Water a contested fee of $32,000 in order to finish and occupy the new Anthem fire station.

The charge, pursuant to a rate increase effective Aug. 1, is for waterline relocation and meter hookup at the new station.

The fee has been in contention by Daisy Mountain because the district first contacted Arizona‑American about the hookup in January but their calls were not returned, says Fire Chief Tom Healy. Department personnel say the district was initially quoted $895 for the hookup.

And, according to the station’s project construction manager, the $32,000 is for only a one‑inch meter hookup. He said a 1.5‑inch hookup would have cost an additional $15,000. The formula for setting the hookup price is related to the acreage of the property, he added. The fire station is considered a commercial property.

Although the district’s attorneys attempted to work out a reduced cost in light of the installation delay, the water company has refused to lower the fee, related Healy.

Further, the chief advises The Desert Advocate, the district was told the installation would be completed within five days after payment. That payment was made the first week of this month. The fire department is still waiting for the installation and planned occupancy of the new station by Christmas is now in doubt.

“Daisy Mountain Fire would have been prepared to have the service line and meter installation accomplished well in advance of Aug. 1 ... had their efforts not been delayed by Arizona‑American’s dilatory response to the fire district’s numerous efforts to open a  dialogue to discuss the waterline relocation issue,” said DMFD’s attorney, David Itzkowitz, earlier this month.

Todd Walker, Arizona‑American spokesman, said the  timeliness of the company’s response to hook up the meter had no relation to the August rate adjustment.

“The development services department works diligently to respond in a timely manner to numerous requests received for new service and meters,” he stated in an earlier interview.

“The attorneys are still working on some things,” said the station construction manager, “but I don’t think anything is going to happen to lower the fee.”

Arizona‑American Water in June filed for a water and wastewater rate increase related to the cost of delivering services to Anthem. The water company stated in its application to the state Corporation Commission it is in “critical financial condition” and needs to recover its infrastructure investment.

Walker stated late Tuesday that the fire station hookup is scheduled for installation Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.