This week, the HBACA filed a letter with the Arizona Corporation Commission supporting EPCOR Water Arizona’s purchase of Johnson Utilities. The Johnson Utilities Service Area includes parts of Pinal County, including San Tan Valley and is one of the hottest housing markets in Arizona. For much of the past few years, the HBACA has worked closely with EPCOR, the Arizona Corporation Commission, and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to resolve many of the problems plaguing the Johnson Utilities System. Most notably, the lack of capacity available to serve new homes.

Writing for the Association, CEO Connie Wilhelm said the support for EPCOR as the new owner is based on the “cooperation, professionalism, and transparency” that EPCOR brought to Johnson Utilities. Specifically, EPCOR worked with the HBACA and other stakeholders on the Meter Management Program, new hook-up fees, a master plan for capital improvements, and an agreement for an interconnection between the Johnson Utility Wastewater System and the Town of Queen Creek’s Wastewater System.

“We put our trust in EPCOR as interim manager to impose a Meter Management Program and to increase the builders’ hook-up fees to fund new infrastructure. Now, we similarly put our trust in EPCOR to own and operate this utility through the buildout of its service area.”

The Arizona Corporation Commission will consider approval of EPCOR’s purchase of Johnson Utilities at a Special Open Meeting on Tuesday, December 22 at 9:00 am. For more information or to watch the Open Meeting visit azcc.gov/live.