Water

Arizona is in the midst of one of the worst droughts in 500 years. In the past few years, the lack of significant rainfall and snow pack has caused the water levels in several major lakes to recede drastically. Drought or not, Arizona is an arid states with finite water resources. Water conservation is critical. One of Hatch-Miller's first acts as Commissioner was to require that water companies have a curtailment plan for cutting back when faced with water shortages.

Before allowing water companies to serve new areas or implement rate increases, the Commission demands assurances from them. Water providers must submit curtailments plans, proof of an assured water supply, arsenic reduction plans, documents detailing compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, and sound engineering plans for the proposed water system. These added requirements ensure that every customer has a safe, clean and assured supply of water.

In the last year, Hatch-Miller has spearheaded the Commission's efforts in helping Arizona's private water companies comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new arsenic ruling. The new EPA standard, which goes into effect in January 23, 2006, lowers the permissible amount of arsenic in our drinking water from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion.

Virtually every public water system in the state is affected. Arsenic occurs naturally in our soils and rocks. Small water companies are particularly hit hard. Lowering arsenic content is expensive. For them, compliance costs could exceed well over $110 million.

The Commission is working to ease the financial burden of arsenic treatment compliance on private water companies. To date, the Commission has held technical workshops in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Hatch-Miller has personally lobbied hard: meeting with Arizona's Congressional delegation in Washington D.C., holding talks with Arizona's State Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, and teaming up with Arizona's legislature to establish a task force to investigate funding options. He has also met with the Governor's office.