Arizona Residents Outraged by 106% Water & Sewer Rate Hike

Residents face a massive increase in water and sewer bills. State representatives call out RUCO for inaction, leaving consumers frustrated and seeking help.

, and Administrator

2025 October 23 . 8:03 AM

1 min read

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Arizona Residents Outraged by 106% Water & Sewer Rate Hike

Arizona residents are up in arms over a proposed 106% increase in water and sewer utility rates by Picacho Water & Sewer Co. State Representatives Teresa Martinez and Jennifer Lopez have criticized the Arizona Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) for not intervening, despite constituents' complaints. Meanwhile, the company's new owner, JW Water Holdings, bought the company in late 2024.

Picacho Water & Sewer Co. requested a rate hike in March, aiming to raise prices from $33 to $67.83 per month. This significant increase has left consumers frustrated and seeking help from RUCO. However, RUCO Director Cynthia Zwick has cited limited resources and a focus on cases affecting more than 12,000 consumers as reasons for not intervening in this particular case.

Martinez and Lopez have slammed RUCO's handling of the situation, alleging delayed or no responses to consumers' calls for help. They sent a letter to RUCO after constituents complained about the excessive and unfair rate increases. Lopez noted that ratepayers should not be left in the dark by the office meant to advocate for them. Martinez stated that RUCO 'exists to stand up for utility consumers' and that constituents deserve better than silence and refusal.

The new rates are scheduled to take effect around March 1, 2026. JW Water Holdings, owned by Netherlands-based CVC DIF, now controls Picacho Water & Sewer Co. Despite consumers' concerns and legislators' criticism, RUCO has not stepped in to address the proposed rate increase.