Deja vu in Desert Hills
by Kathleen Stinson

DESERT HILLS – Customers of Desert Hills Water Co. woke up to no water Thursday after an electrical outage shut down the Cloud Road booster station.

Todd Walker, spokesman for Arizona American Water, Co., current operator of the Desert Hills system, said the electrical power went out at 6 a.m. on Dec. 21. AAW responded immediately and worked with the power company to restore electrical service.

“We had water flowing at approximately 8 a.m.,” Walker advised.

Arizona American assumed operation of Desert Hills Water on behalf of Cave Creek after the town acquired the utility in September.

On Thursday morning, some Desert Hills Water customers were quick to call the operational  emergency number printed on their water bills–but received initial responses that caused further concern. 

“They didn’t know who we were,” reported DHW customer Mike Sprinkle. “Our account numbers, addresses and names did not come up.”

Sprinkle said when he mentioned they were part of the Desert Hills Water service area, the representative then comprehended and told him “we’ll look into it.”

Another DHW customer, Rich Goldstein, said he was also concerned about the fact there is no alarm on the booster station, leaving customers responsible for alerting the company of an outage. Walker confirmed the DHW Cloud Road booster station is not an alarmed facility.

“We’ve recommended to the Town of Cave Creek that it be an alarmed facility,” Walker said, noting that all Arizona American facilities have response alarms.

Walker stated he will look into improving the customer service call center response, but acknow‑ledged that incorporating two data bases such as these takes time.

“We apologize for any inconvenience that was caused to the customers,” Walker said Thursday.

Sprinkle further related he is concerned that when, and if, the state corporation commission approves the transfer of DHW’s assets to Cave Creek, area customers will have no political voice if a problem occurs with their water service. Desert Hills customers are not residents of Cave Creek and, as such, cannot vote in town elections.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.