Global Water reports infrastructure upgrades, three‑phase rate increase and assured‑supply designation

Global Water officials told the Town of Sahuarita mayor and council that the utility completed several infrastructure projects in 2024, is deploying advanced metering and control upgrades, and will phase in a three‑stage rate increase this year and next after a regulatory approval.

The company’s regional manager, Eric Birkett, and John Corwin, vice president and general manager for Global Water, presented the Farmers Water System and the Global Water Saguaro District annual update and said the Farmers system serves about 3,500 connections and is organized as four public water systems, three inside Sahuarita and one in Green Valley.

The presentation outlined 2024 work — including updated SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) at 10 locations, generator installation at a distribution campus that experienced nine to ten power outages during monsoon season, purchase of a Vactor trailer to speed leak response, leasing 8,000 square feet at the Samtec facility, and completed master planning that incorporates local specific plans. Birkett said Global Water secured a $1.6 million grant for an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project that has a total cost of roughly $2.0 million; the grant, he said, offsets rate impacts for customers.

Corwin summarized the utility’s recently concluded rate proceeding and said the utility filed the application about a year ago to reflect inflation and capital investments since the last rate case in 2017. He said a five‑zero vote by five elected commissioners approved the rate application, and Global Water volunteered to phase the approved increase over three phases, starting with the May billing cycle, then another increase in November 2025 and a final phase in May 2026. Corwin said the net impact will be about $7 per month for the median customer who uses about 3,500 gallons per month, and the company will send a notice on customers’ bills explaining the change.

Corwin also highlighted customer assistance: a program that provides up to $350 per year to qualifying customers and is administered by a third party Global Water partners with; he encouraged council and staff to refer customers and community assistance organizations to the program.

Birkett described planned 2025 work that includes: replacing an analog control standpipe and installing electronic control panels and metering valves to reduce pressure transients during large draws (the metering valves can be programmed to open and close slowly to limit 700 GPM instant draws to roughly 500 GPM); proactive rehabilitation of wells (well 6 this year, well 7 next year); installing generators at additional distribution campuses (including the Continental campus that supplies La Posada Campus); and design work for new treatment systems at the Sahuarita Water Distribution Campus and the Santa Rita (Green Valley) campus with an anticipated investment of roughly $2.0 million or higher.

Corwin also reported Global Water obtained a designation of assured water supply (DAWS) in December 2024 for the Farmers systems allowing use of up to 5,306 acre‑feet per year; that designation required enrollment with the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) and associated recharge fees, which Global Water said it negotiated to defer the fee impact. Corwin said the DAWS will streamline developers’ ability to build homes consistent with that allocation and accompanying recharge arrangements.

Council members asked about system reliability, fire–suppression pressure improvements tied to metering valves, outreach to local assistance organizations and the lifespan of wells; presenters said many wells can operate 50–75 years with proper maintenance but pumps and motors require periodic replacement. Global Water said it will continue community outreach and provide data and referrals to local assistance partners when requested.

Council did not take formal action on utility items during the presentation; presenters said the 2024 franchise agreements between Global Water and the town were executed and that Global Water provides its required annual report under a 2022 memorandum of understanding with the town.