Phoenix, Ariz. —  By a vote of 3-2 Commissioners Myers, Thompson and Márquez-Peterson approved a rate case for EPCOR Water Arizona, Inc. and Rio Verde Utilities, Inc.  (WS-01303A-22-0236 and WS-02156A-22-0237) during the April 9, 2024 Open Meeting after more than six hours of deliberation. Chairman O’Connor and Commissioner Tovar both cast dissenting votes. The decision consolidates the wastewater districts of Luke 303 and Arizona into a new Sonoran District, and partially consolidates Rio Verde.  To protect residential ratepayers from rate shock, the Commission froze the rates for customers in Rio Verde and streamlined rates for customers in Arizona and Luke 303.  

The utility originally filed this rate case in 2022. Tuesday’s decision by the Commission will have different impacts on the typical monthly wastewater bill for residential customers.  Customers in the Arizona Wastewater district, including Sun City residents, currently pay about $38.59 a month and should expect to see a nearly $8.00 increase, bringing the typical monthly cost to approximately $46.56 a month.  Customers in the Luke 303 Wastewater district currently pay about $78.18 a month and should expect to see a nearly $32.00 decrease, bringing the typical monthly cost to approximately $46.56 a month.  Customers in the Rio Verde Wastewater district currently pay about $63.95 a month and will not see a change in rates.  The commodity rate for industrial customers in the Luke 303 Wastewater will increase to $11.08 per kgal.  The rate changes became effective April 1, 2024.

For clarification, this case DOES NOT pertain to customers in the Rio Verde Foothills community.