Re: Availability of New Water Service for Parcels with Will Serve Letters outside Town Municipal Limits
On December 20, 2021, the Cave Creek Town Council adopted the 2021 Water Resources Policy. The adoption occurred after several public meetings and outreach efforts by the Town over several months.
The 2021 Water Resource Policy reflects that Desert Hills and parcels outside the Town’s municipal limits do not have their own secure long-term water supplies. There is no general or legal obligation for Cave Creek to use its water resources to support new services outside its municipal limits when water is not available. The Town will continue to provide water services to the existing service accounts while working to identify new long-term water resources for the area. Additional information regarding the 2021 Water Resource Policy is provided in Town Resolution No. R2021-25 attached to this letter.
The Water Resource Policy states that no new water service will be established outside the Town’s municipal boundaries unless required by existing valid contractual obligations or statutory obligations. Existing Will Serve letters are not considered a contractual obligation.
The Town Council has authorized staff to work with projects outside the Town’s municipal limits that were substantially underway as defined in the Town’s Resolution. If an applicant can demonstrate that a building permit application was made to Maricopa County Development Services Department prior to the December 20, 2021, Water Resource Policy adoption date, staff can review the applicant’s request for new water service to determine if and how the remaining requirements can be met. After February 28, 2022, Town staff can no longer consider if a project even if a building permit was already underway as of December 20, 2021, when reviewing whether new water service can be provided.
Please contact the Town as soon as possible and prior to February 28, 2022, to discuss a new water service connection if you have a project that made a building permit submittal prior to the December 20, 2021, Policy adoption date. You can contact the Town at 480-488-6619 or rhill@cavecreekaz.gov regarding this matter.
CLICK TO VIEW :
Resolution No. R2021-25, 2021 Water Resource Policy