Maricopas' water and wastewater rates are on the rise, are you ready?

Many of  Global Water Resources (GWR) customers in Maricopa are either not aware of the pending increase or what it involves.

This rate increase applies to all customers ….residential and commercial and to our winter visitors.

In March of 2025, GWR made a request before the Arizona Corporation Commission for both water and wastewater rate increases to 19.7% as the previous one was in 2019.

A public hearing was held before the Administrative Law Judge on December 11, 2025, which resulted in public opposition by online comments and at the hearing. This was enough to put GWR and their attorney on edge and requested a continuance. The ALJ moved to continue for mediation in private and a formal rehearing would be set for another hearing sometime in August.

Since then GWR has reduced their requested amount twice and as it stands, they are requesting a total of 1.5% increase in the combined water and wastewater rates, or approximately $2.68 a month per customer. June 2026 letter.

A hearing on the rate request and settlement agreement will take place with the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Utilities Division at 10 a.m. Aug. 3. If approved, the new rate will take effect in November.

Customers who want to provide comments on the rate increase have three options:

• In person at 1300 W. Washington Street, Phoenix
• By phone at 1-877-309-3457, Passcode 801972877## (the pass code must contain the two ##) At 9:50 you can call in, it will take a while to get on the schedule with reception, be patient. When you are called to speak by the ALJ they will unmute you and you unmute your device.
• Or by using this link submitting a comment online

This will provide you, the customer, with the opportunity to agree or disagree to the rate increases upon residential and commercial water and wastewater rates and to offer comments.

Some things to consider when offering your comments, these are to be in your own words and volition. Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. § 40-361), which mandate that utility rates be "just and reasonable". Argue that the increase creates an unfair financial burden, lacks transparent justification, or that Global Water needs to prove it explored all cost-saving alternatives.

EXAMLPES:

1. Is GWR a good neighbor as a business and providing water and wastewater services?
2. Has GWR customer service helped you with billing issues or water quality, line break issues? Do they refer you elsewhere, or no one there to receive emergency calls.
3. Has GWR sent you public notices by email or mail in a timely manner?
4. Has GWR been transparent in their daily business operations or the rate increase process?
5. Has GWR been proactive in resolving water quality or waterline repair issues?
6. Has GWR help and public forums to explain the rate increases and to answer questions?
7. How do the GWR rates for water and wastewater compare to others in Arizona for residential or commercial users?
8. Why you reasonably believe that the proposed rate increase will affect you and your family and that it is not fair or reasonable to you personally?

There is an abundance of issues to raise but it takes time to do the research and express yourself.

If you are going to appear in person or by pone you have a 3-minute time limit. Prepare your comments in advance, have them written down and practice withing the 3-minutes.

Sending is you comments online is a good option. You can do them on a word doc, save as a PDF and attach it to the comment page. You can attach exhibits as well.

You will need to fill out the form online and utilize the data for the rate increase for both water and wastewater.

Water rate case file name and number is: IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION

OF GLOBAL WATER - SANTA CRUZ WATER COMPANY, INC., DOCKET NO. W-20446A-25-0022

Wastewater rate case file name and number is: IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION

OF GLOBAL WATER - PALO VERDE UTILITIES COMPANY, INC., DOCKET no. SW-20445A-25-0023

At lease the docket or file number will be required on the online form. You can just put in the other information on the form for you comment and then state, “SEE ATTACHED” and attach your documents and submit.

You can still appear in person or by phone after you make a submission.

Please note that comments need to be professional and civil as they are part of the formal record. These comments are considered by the Commissioners, but they are not made under oath and do not carry the same legal weight as sworn evidence.  

The process after the hearing on August 3^rd the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issues their report or Recommended Opinion and Order, the Commission itself makes the final ruling. The ALJ's report is only a recommendation. Before the Commission votes to accept, reject, or modify it.

Following the evidentiary hearings, the ALJ submits a Recommended Opinion and Order to the Commission and mails copies to the involved parties., not to those that made public comments. and there is no forum for additional public comments.

Hope that this has been helpful and support our hard work today.