Water Pipeline to Open New Year's Day in Rio Verde Foothills
After years of uncertainty, Rio Verde Foothills residents will finally have a permanent water solution starting Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 7 a.m. EPCOR Utilities Inc. will unveil its new water filling station off 176th Street, marking a significant milestone for the community.
This development comes after the city cut off water access to the community in 2023, citing a drought contingency plan. EPCOR stepped in to provide temporary water solutions until the permanent infrastructure was in place.
Shawn Bradford, Senior Vice President of Regulated US Water for EPCOR, expressed his commitment: "We promised a solution, and we delivered. We were asked to address the water challenge in Rio Verde Foothills, and we ensured a permanent water supply for the community."
Local resident John Hornewer, who has lived in the community since 1999, understands the challenges. He operates Rio Verde Water, delivering water to hundreds of homes via trucks due to the lack of infrastructure. Hornewer emphasizes, "Water is a basic necessity, not a luxury. Everyone should have access to it."
However, concerns about utility and water-hauling costs have been raised. Karen Nabity worries about the financial burden, noting that a monthly usage of 6,000 gallons would result in an annual cost of $6,400. The utility's prices are regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission, and EPCOR will assess the true cost of operations before applying for future adjustments.
Rebecca Stenholm, EPCOR Strategic Manager, clarifies, "We will consider all hard costs and hookup fees before making any adjustments. We aim to keep the costs as close as possible to our initial estimates."
To access the water station, residents will need a customer account and access code. This development marks a significant step towards ensuring a reliable water supply for Rio Verde Foothills residents, addressing the long-standing water challenge.
