GOVERNMENT
Rate increases on the horizon To maintain service and prepare for future needs, Buckeye is proposing gradual water and wastewater rate increases. Typical households can expect their bills to rise by about 5% annually over the next five years. City officials say the increases are necessary due to rising costs for electricity, chemicals, labor, and infrastructure maintenance—some of which dates back to the 1960s. Recent investments include $9 million for water treatment improvements in Tartesso and $18 million for a reclamation facility in Sundance.
Without these adjustments, officials warn the utility system could fall below sustainable funding levels, delaying maintenance and limiting future water investments. Growth paying its own way City leaders emphasize that current residents are not subsidizing new development. Developers are responsible for building water infrastructure for new communities, which is then turned over to the city for operation and maintenance. Still, growth brings added costs. More customers mean more water pumping,
treatment, and storage—expenses that must be covered through utility rates. Conservation efforts expand Buckeye is also encouraging residents to use water more efficiently. Programs include leak detection through smart meters, rebates for water-saving appliances, turf removal incentives, and personalized usage alerts. Residents can also request water audits and access online tools to track daily consumption. Water quality meets standards Despite concerns about taste due to naturally occurring minerals in groundwater, officials say Buckeye’s water meets or exceeds all federal safety standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium—known as total dissolved solids—can affect taste but are not harmful. Reducing them further would require costly treatment upgrades, which could significantly increase rates. Looking ahead As Buckeye continues to grow, city leaders say the challenge will be maintaining a balance between affordability, infrastructure demands, and long-term water security. “The goal,” officials said, “is to ensure we can continue to grow while providing a safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply for generations to come.”
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POSSIBLE FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES
Like a financial portfolio, the city’s Water Portfolio consists of several different classes of water assets, according to information provided by the city, including the following: • Brackish groundwater from the Buckeye Waterlogged Area. • Acquisitions or leases of other Colorado River water from entitlements from public or private owners. The water could be transported through the Central Arizona Project canal to Buckeye. • Instate Surface Water supplies. This water could be transported to Buckeye through the canal systems owned by the irrigation districts operating in Buckeye.
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InBuckeye.com | May/June 2026
May/June 2026 | InBuckeye.com
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