Oro Valley director flags Colorado River stress and will ask council to approve recommended water-rate increase

The town director told the Water Utility Commission that Upper Basin snowpack this year was the lowest he has tracked and that recent federal releases from Flaming Gorge are being used to prop up Lake Powell, reflecting broader stress across the Colorado River system.

The director said the commission has completed preparatory steps, including authorization to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Water Bank, and that staff will seek Town Council approval for a water-rate increase at the June 3 public hearing. The commission previously recommended the increase unanimously and staff also supports it, he said.

The director tied the request to the commission’s water-resource planning, noting that low snowpack and uncertain CAP allocations increase the need to secure firming water resources and to ensure the utility’s financial resilience. He said the town is working with regional associations and that staff will bring guest speakers as needed if new developments arise over the summer.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about timelines and implementation; the director said town staff will circulate materials and notify the commission if emergent policy actions are required before the commission’s next scheduled meeting.

The presentation concluded with the director noting that staff had done the groundwork to receive firming water resources if CAP allocations are reduced and that additional communications will follow as state or federal actions are announced.