With shortages looming, Phoenix water managers want to shift away from Colorado River water to use more of the city’s other supplies from the Salt River or groundwater reserves. The city of Phoenix relies on the CAP for about 40% of its water. Rates are planned through 2028 and CAP is projecting about a 40% increase in costs for its municipal customers.Īnd even cities with diversified water supplies could feel an impact.
So Colorado River water delivery prices are rising. “On top of that, as we move deeper and deeper into shortage, there is a compounding effect, where we’re dividing those higher costs across fewer acre-feet of water," Hall said. For one thing, it takes a lot of energy to pump water across the state, and those electrical bills are getting more expensive. Just like any other industry, CAP is feeling the pinch of inflation. “We only charge our customers for the cost to move the water and operate the Central Arizona Project," Hall said.īut those operational costs are going up. And Chris Hall, CAP assistant general manager for finance, said CAP doesn’t really charge for the water. Ron Dungan/KJZZĬAP is a wholesaler that delivers water to your local utility provider. The Arizona Canal, part of the Salt River Project system. “It’s just that in relative terms, we’re slightly better off," Sorensen said.īut that brings us back to the Colorado River.Ī major component of Arizona's water infrastructure is the Central Arizona Project, the massive canal system that pumps Colorado River water across the state to Phoenix and Tucson. Sorensen said that comes down to the fact that Valley cities - and all of their pipes - are a little newer than those in many other parts of the country. A 2021 study from Black & Veatch, a company that specializes in infrastructure engineering, showed Phoenix's water bills, on average, were even cheaper than bills in regions of the country with ample water supplies, such as the Great Lakes region or the Pacific Northwest. Phoenix actually has some of the cheapest water in the country. “The cost that you pay on your water utility bill has much more to do with the age and condition of the infrastructure necessary to provide the water than it does to the water supplies themselves that are being delivered," Sorensen said.
“Even a really big increase in the cost of Colorado River water isn’t going to affect the city of Tempe very much," Sorensen said.īut just up the road, Scottsdale relies on the Colorado River for 70% of its water, so increases would have a much bigger impact.īut Sorensen said for cities that are more dependent on the Colorado River, shortages still might not directly translate to higher prices. Most of its water comes from the Salt River and only about 7% of the city's supply comes from the Colorado River. Sorensen said the Colorado River is facing severe shortages, but not everyone in Arizona is relying on Colorado River water to the same degree.Ĭonsider the city of Tempe, for example. “What the actual impact will be will really vary community to community," said Kathryn Sorensen, director of research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University and former director for Phoenix and Mesa’s water departments. Arizonans are likely to see their water bills increase in coming years. But water experts say the long answer is a lot more complicated. But will a shrinking water supply mean higher utility bills for Arizonans? The Colorado River is facing a catastrophic drought. Your browser does not support the audio element.
#City of phoenix water bill pay update#
The charges will not be more, the increase would be due to a longer period.Īll customers paying through autopay will need to re-enroll using the portal - you will need your current account number to sign up.Īll customers using bill pay through their bank will need to update their customer / account number and payment address.Īll customers mailing payments will need to use the provided envelope / stub or update their customer / account number and payment address.Īll customers making a payment by phone, 48, will need to have their new customer / account number.Īll customers interested in paperless billing will need to re-enroll on the portal.According to the city, water rates in Phoenix have three main components: the monthly fixed service charge, volume (usage) charges and environmental charges. To transition to the new due date, some customers may have a one-time longer cycle, which may result in a larger bill. All customers will receive a new account number (and new customer number), more information about the difference below.Īll customers will receive a new billing due date - the new due date will be 21 days after the bill date.
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