During its June 19 meeting the Queen Creek Town Council approved the purchase agreement to acquire theH2O, Inc. Water Utility. Queen Creek residents approved Town plans to purchase H2O, Inc. in an all mail special election that took place earlier this year. The final vote was recorded as 2,550 in favor, 379 opposed.

Several months ago, the Town initiated discussions with the H2O, Inc. Water Company to review options for acquiring the right to serve residents living in the 3.5 square mile portion of the community still served by H2O. This is the only portion of the town not served by the Town-owned water service, and once the Church Farms subdivision is built out, it will be home to approximately 20 percent of all Town residents. While these residents receive fire, sewer, and trash collection services from the Town, they receive their water from the H2O, Inc Water Utility. The company serves an area of approximately 23 square miles to the east of Queen Creek.

There are no rate changes proposed for existing Queen Creek water customers. When the Town acquires H2O, rates for current H2O customers will match the current rates paid by Queen Creek customers. Monthly rates for the majority of current H2O customers, those using 7,500-10,000 gallons of water per month, will remain unchanged. Queen Creek’s water service and H2O also use similar technologies and billing techniques, which means customers would notice little difference.

With this approval by voters, future steps in the process include:

July 19
Town Council approval of financing documents for purchase

August 13-14
Arizona Corporation Commission Hearing

Mid-to-late September
Anticipated closing

For more information about the Queen Creek Utilities Department visit QueenCreek.org. To keep updated on Town news and events, follow us on www.facebook.com/queencreek or www.twitter.com/TOQC_official.