Reliable water. Local control. Water self-sufficiency.

The Town of Queen Creek has been making strategic investments in water supplies for nearly a decade, and now owns a safe and reliable water supply not subject to cuts:

• The Town has minimal reliance on the Colorado River (approximately 10%) 
• The 2025 investment in Harquahala water will reduce local groundwater pumping to approximately 6%

The Town is implementing a dedicated water resource fee to pay for these investments, the associated infrastructure and to replace CAGRD (Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District) fees that 89% of customers are assessed. 

Proposed Water Resource Fee

At the Sept. 2 meeting, staff presented a recommended water resource fee of $3.07 per 1,000 gallons of water, based on the metered usage. 

The proposal also includes a credit based on the water the Town receives back through the wastewater system. The Town uses all treated wastewater (effluent) to offset groundwater pumping and extend drought-proof supplies. The proposed credits are based on the average volume received through the Town’s wastewater system:

•  Residential / Schools 40% 
•  Commercial / Multifamily with landscaping 80%
•  Commercial / Multifamily with no landscaping 90%

Based on staff’s recommendation, in the first year, the residential customer impact per month (based on 10,000 gallons) would be $30.70, and $18.42 for customers with the wastewater credit.

The proposal includes incremental annual increases. 

The Water Resource Fee Will Replace

The water resource fee will completely replace the CAGRD assessment on customer property tax bills, including the amount the Town has been offsetting on behalf of customers since 2018 (saving customers $71 million). 

The Water Resource Fee Will Fund

Long-term water supplies. The purchase and financing of supplies that strengthen Queen Creek's 100-year portfolio. 

Related infrastructure. Infrastructure needed to access, transport and manage those supplies.

Remaining replenishment. Replenishment obligations to CAGRD on behalf of customers until the Town becomes designated.

Water-resource programs. Water resources staff and costs, half of Water Conservation.

Operating Costs. Operating Harquahala water including power and people.

FAQs

Next Steps 

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Community Chambers, 20727 E. Civic Parkway. Can't make the public meeting - please see the weekly open house hours below. 

A Notice of Intent to establish a new fee and set a public hearing will be considered on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. 

If the NOI is approved, the public hearing with possible action will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m., with the earliest effective date in January 2027

HOA Meeting for Managers & Board of Directors

• Sept. 8, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Community Chambers, 20272 E. Civici Parkway
• Oct. 13, 4 - 5 p.m., Community Chambers, 20272 E. Civici Parkway

Additional Rates Being Considered

At the Sept. 16 meeting, the Council will also consider a Notice of Intent to:

• Implement a new Water Resource Capacity Fee – impacts developers
• Increase the existing Water Capacity Fee - impacts developers  
•  Adjust the Water Structure – impacts all customers at varying levels (aligns with COS
  •  Single-Family tier adjustment (tiers 1 and 2 decrease, tier 3 increases)
  • Multifamily – going to uniform rate of $1.50*
  • Non-residential – going to uniform rate of $2.50*
  • Landscape – going to uniform rate of $4*
  • Hydrant – going to uniform rate of $9*
• Adjust Select Wastewater Structure – impacts non-residential and multifamily 
• Increase Solid Waste – impacts all curbside customers ($3.78 per month increase); other solid waste fees to be adjusted at similar percentage increases for fees such as bulk pickup. 

* Per 1,000 gallons + base rate

Contact

Reach out to Customer Service team at MyUtilities@QueenCreekAZ.gov or 480-358-3450 during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.).

Building Queen Creek’s Water Future

Queen Creek has ample groundwater, replenishing it is expensive. The 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act requires every gallon of water pumped to be replenished.  

Nearly all of Queen Creek water customers are enrolled in CAGRD to handle groundwater replenishment. Enrolled customers pay an annual membership fee on their property tax bill, and a fee based on water consumed the previous year.  

In 2018, the Queen Creek Town Council began applying groundwater credits at the maximum allowable amount to reduce CAGRD assessments for customers. This was an interim measure until the Town established a long-term solution. 

Historic Investment 

In 2025, the Town made a historic investment in its water future, securing 1.7 million acre-feet of water from Harquahala Valley, a state-designated water storage and transportation basin. The Town was the first entity to purchase this water for transport, getting it at the lowest rate. 

Harquahala provides a 100-year water supply and is drought-proof. The water will be transported via the existing CAP canal that runs north of Harquahala Valley and travels past the eastern border of Queen Creek.

With Harquahala water in the Town’s portfolio, local groundwater dependence drops to 6%; and the reliance on the Colorado River remains low (10%). Uncertainty related to the Colorado River will only further increase the price of water, which has continued to rise. 

The Town’s water resource goals include:

●      Own a water portfolio with 100-year assets that are less susceptible to drought conditions 

●      Continue to move customers away from CAGRD 

●      Establish more stable & sustainable costs for customers 

●      Continue efforts to become a designated water provider 

●      Reduce local groundwater pumping for customers

Background

View Previous Meetings Related to Water Strategy