About eight years ago in gaining control of the water company for Cave Creek the Town actually acquired a deeply troubled Desert Hills Water Company as it is now known. That acquisition, which is just a private business venture with NO governmental responsibility, has actually proven more profitable than the Cave Creek Assets. But, times have changed and the verdict is in on how well the town can manage in the private sector. It is time for the town to sell the Desert Hills Water Company and use the cash to fix the severe equipment, management and cash flow problems in our own backyard, the Cave Creek Water and Wastewater Companies.
The idea to sell Desert Hills Water Company is not mine, but it is so good I wish it was! Town staff is rumored to have even made some initial contacts.
The town cannot control growth, receives no taxes and has no constituency in Desert Hills. It is just a business venture. But that is muddled in the administration since the Cave Creek management are all elected or salaried municipal managers. Think of the town council as a kind of Board of Directors in the relationship to Desert Hills.
Sadly, the entire water system has badly degraded since it was purchased. Every year that goes by increases the unaddressed problems. Yes, the water and sewer have had few service interruptions. But there are many, many close calls that are prevented by luck and not design. The town has narrowly avoided a huge raw sewage spill, dumped enough water on the ground to fill a small lake and does not even carry critical spares. Anyone who thinks the Water Companies are in solid condition has not attended Water Advisory Committee meetings!
The Desert Hills system has more problems than the town can manage. First, the wells, about 60 percent of their supply, are going dry and have high arsenic. Second, huge growth is on the horizon which could potentially suck Cave creek’s water down there just as a drought restriction hits. Third, the area has essentially NO fire water system. There are just 3 hydrants for the entire area plus inadequate pumps and tanks.
There is also a huge water supply problem in Desert Hills. Right now, 400 of Cave Creek’s 2606 acre feet of water is used to cover the deficit Desert Hills has from wells that are drying up. Plus, clean Cave Creek water is essential to blend the high arsenic well water to drinkable standards. But, that clean water is Cave Creek water that we will need soon! An additional CAP allocation of 386 acre feet for Desert Hills is in the approval process so they will not be left in a lurch.
And, that is one principal we should adopt. We will be a good neighbor and do our part to ensure Desert Hills water stays safe and reliable. We can help by processing at our oversized water treatment plant and make some money besides.
So let’s sell Desert Hills and fix the problems at home.
This is the answer to the money and budget problems in Cave Creek. Sell Desert Hills and use the money to fix the town’s critical problems. Use whatever is left to retire debt and fund that ongoing, up in the air, unplanned Westside water project of $300,000-500,000 cost.
So, hang a big FOR SALE sign on Desert Hills Water. The private sector can better handle their service and we can use the money to fix our own money and water problems.
Robert Morris
Cave Creek
