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Scottsdale statement and facts - Rio Verde Foothills water

City of Scottsdale statement and facts regarding Rio Verde Foothills water

Rio Verde is a separate community governed by Maricopa County, not the city of Scottsdale. Scottsdale has warned and advised that it is not responsible for Rio Verde for many years, especially given the requirements of the city’s mandated drought plan. The city remains firm in that position, and confident it is on the right side of the law.

Nothing in the city's action precludes residents in Rio Verde Foothills from purchasing water from other sources. The water haulers who have previously hauled water from Scottsdale have access to water from other jurisdictions and are still offering to haul water to serve the homes in Rio Verde. 

Rio Verde Foothills Facts
  • Rio Verde Foothills lies within unincorporated Maricopa County, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is their local government.
  • In the past, water haulers were allowed to fill-up tanks at city of Scottsdale fill stations. These water haulers are largely commercial enterprises. Given the unprecedented drought on the Colorado River, the city ceased allowing any of this water to be transported outside of the city in compliance with its Drought Management Plan (a state mandate). This means the water haulers Rio Verde has relied upon must find another source of water to haul. They have found other sources of water and are still offering to haul water to serve the homes in Rio Verde.
  • The physical infrastructure, staff, operations and water rights that comprise Scottsdale Water - the city's municipal water utility - have been designed, built and financed (through user rates and fees) by the residents and businesses of Scottsdale, for the users of the system.
  • Scottsdale has a 100-year Assured Water Supply as certified by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. That assured water supply designation applies to the city's population at build-out - it does not account for residents outside its service area who are not connected to the city’s water utility delivery system.
Facts, history and background information

A Dec. 19 memo prepared in response to a petition to the Scottsdale City Council provides facts, a history of this issue and more information regarding the city's position.

Contact Information

Scottsdale Water Resources
9312 N 94th St
Scottsdale, AZ 85258  
P: 480-312-5650

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Office Hours

Monday through Friday
7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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