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Town of Fountain Hills
During late 2003 and the first quarter of 2004, M&A was
retained by Chaparral City Water Company, who supplies water to
residents of the Town of Fountain Hills, to assist in demonstrating
the physical availability of additional water supplies to serve
the current and projected future needs of the community. Arizona
Department of Water Resources (ADWR) had considered revoking the
water company’s Assured Water Supply Designation based on
ADWR calculations indicating that Chaparral City’s use had
potentially exceeded their physical supply. However, following completion
of investigations and aquifer testing by M&A on Chaparral City
Water Company wells, ADWR issued a Consent Order that will allow
development in the Town of Fountain Hills to proceed.
Under the “Stipulation and Consent Order”
issued by ADWR Director Herb Guenther, Chaparral City will continue
their efforts to join the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment
District (CAGRD), and will conduct testing operations to ascertain
the volume of groundwater available for use in the Fountain Hills
area. The concept may be for ADWR to allow the water company to
compensate for additional groundwater pumping in response to demand
through the use of recharge credits from the CAGRD.
Another provision of the Consent Order relates to
new development in the Town of Fountain Hills. The Consent Order
specifies that although the town may approve and developers may
construct new subdivisions, developers may not sell or lease lots
or units in these subdivisions until ADWR issues a determination
that Chaparral Water Company has sufficient water to serve the current
and projected demand.
“We are very pleased with the ruling by ADWR,
and we intend to pursue all available opportunities to stay in compliance,”
said Robert N. Hanford, District Manager for Chaparral City Water
Company. “Most importantly, we believe this agreement truly
serves the best interests of the people of Fountain Hills.”
Because of the settlement, ADWR agreed to forego a hearing on this
matter initially scheduled for February 10, 2004.
Based on review of provisional test results submitted
by M&A, ADWR made a preliminary assessment that the water supply
in the Fountain Hills area is sufficient to meet current and projected
demands of the water company for the next 100 years, and that the
company’s Water Supply Designation will be retained.
Questions regarding this project should be directed
to Greg Wallace at our Scottsdale office, (480) 948-7747
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