ACC implements partial moratorium on new hookups; clears the way for Queen Creek interconnections

by Dana Trumbull | The Apache Junction & Gold Canyon News

The Apache Junction & Gold Canyon News

The first step to overcoming a problem is admitting that you have a problem. From that standpoint, San Tan Valley residents, whose complaints about Johnson Utilities’ subpar service had been ignored for many years, are finally seeing progress toward a working solution to their water and waste utility woes.

Last month, EPCOR, recently assigned as interim manager for Johnson Utilities by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), released a 300 page assessment that concluded, “Johnson Utilities systems are poorly performing, and there is a high risk of operational failure, environmental impacts and service interruptions to system customers.” The estimated cost of their proposed solutions to remediate immediate deficiencies, safety compliance and capacity came to just under $100 million, with future recommended improvements totaling nearly $80 million. These estimates address rebuilding the existing system without adding capacity for future development.

As a first step toward restoring capacity to existing residents, EPCOR requested a blanket moratorium on all new connections. The ACC responded by issuing a temporary stay on new permits, buying time to study alternatives. Real estate developers, already invested in the area, were adamantly opposed to the cut off and concerned about their planned future ventures; while local government officials, including the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, were torn between the need to support beleaguered residents and dreading the stigma attached to a moratorium on development and the potential economic impact.

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