Council adopts Integrated Utility Master Plan; approves well evaluations, pump‑valve work and utility building improvements

Cave Creek — The Town Council adopted an Integrated Utility Master Plan (IUMP) on Monday and approved a package of follow‑on actions the staff said are needed to address near‑term water resource risks and long‑term capital needs.

The council adopted the IUMP by voice vote. Staff described the plan as a 25‑year, integrated analysis of water, wastewater and reclaimed water systems and presented a capital improvement program that identifies projects and rough cost estimates. Sean Cruz Weisner (Utilities Director) said the plan quantifies the town’s exposure to expected reductions in Colorado River allocations after 2026 and outlines near‑term projects such as rehabilitating existing wells, seeking water exchanges/storage agreements, and maintaining the CAP booster pipeline and pump stations.

Following the adoption, the council approved two professional service agreements to evaluate and, if feasible, bring town wells back into service. The council authorized a Clear Creek Associates agreement (up to $55,796) to evaluate two groundwater wells for yield and aquifer impacts and authorized Black & Veatch (up to $29,943) to review treatment options for well water prior to reintroducing it to the water‑treatment plant. Council also approved a contract award to Pro Spice LLC (doing business as Muir Contracting) for tenant improvements to the Cape Creek Utilities/Public Works building (up to $565,863) and a cooperative purchase agreement with MGC Contractors to replace pump isolation valves at the town’s CAP 2 and CAP 3 booster pump stations (up to $66,714). Separately, council approved purchase of a service‑body utility truck (up to $70,000) as a fleet replacement.

Sean told the council the master plan places the town in a more proactive posture for an expected reduction in Colorado River supplies by January 2027 and lays out a capital program the staff will use to prioritize projects and funding. He said the draft plan estimated a 25‑year water CIP that totals roughly $77,000,000 (including the City of Phoenix interconnect project) and a wastewater CIP of approximately $29,000,000 over 25 years; staff emphasized these are planning‑level totals to guide funding decisions.

Regarding wells, Sean said the town has three candidate wells for rehabilitation: the “right” well at the treatment plant (previously tested and showing promising yields), the Pee Wee well near Linda Drive, and the Vermice well (near Desert Hills) that previously had casing problems. Clear Creek’s scope will provide hydrologic analysis and test‑well recommendations; Black & Veatch will evaluate how any recovered well water could be treated at the town’s hybrid treatment plant.

Council members praised the report’s depth and urged staff to move quickly on near‑term items while preparing five‑year capital programs and rate studies to fund longer‑term projects. Roll‑call votes recorded approvals for the Clear Creek and Black & Veatch agreements and the pump‑valve and tenant‑improvement contracts (votes were unanimous as called in the meeting). Staff said the next steps include five‑year capital programming, funding analysis and targeted outreach to state and regional water partners about exchanges, banking and short‑term supplies.