Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Prescott public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
19 issues in water utilities
Prescott Lakes Effluent Agreement
The city and the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe have a settlement agreement involving effluent credits — essentially rights to reclaimed water. How the city positions itself in these ongoing discussions could shape Prescott's water supply arrangements for years.
PFAS Water Treatment Roadmap and Estimated $70M Costs
Prescott faces an estimated $70 million cost to meet new federal PFAS water standards, with lawsuit recoveries covering only $3–6 million. Council members pressed Senator Finchem for state help and deadline flexibility for rural communities facing this unfunded federal mandate.
Long-Term Water Management Plan Public Outreach Strategy
Prescott is building a 50-year water management plan, with a draft due January 2027 and final approval targeted for July 2027. The plan covers groundwater supplies, conservation, pipe replacement, and stormwater capture — and council members flagged gaps around growth assumptions and PFAS contamination.
Airport Infrastructure and Construction Projects
Updates and discussions regarding ongoing construction projects at the airport facility.
Big Chino Water Ranch Infrastructure and Cost Estimates
Council members urged Senator Finchem to protect Prescott and Prescott Valley's Big Chino water rights from valley interests, and discussed desalination deals with California and Colorado River accountability.
High Water User Definition Framework
The city is exploring frameworks to define high water users based on annual volume and peak demand to aid in long-term water planning and rate structures.
Small Community Water Systems Interconnection Feasibility
The city evaluated a proposal from ADEQ to connect three small private water companies near Willow Lake to Prescott's system to mitigate high PFAS levels. Under Alternative 1C, the city would supply water via master meters with full funding from ADEQ, bypassing the need for annexation or new sewer lines.
Medical Facility Water Service Application WSA26-031
The council approved an 18.02 acre-foot water allocation for a new medical plaza on Willow Creek Road. Because it exceeded standard quarterly thresholds, the project required a formal appeal, sparking broader discussion on implementing city-wide rainwater harvesting policies.
Solid Waste Fund Deficit and Rate Study
The solid waste fund faces a severe operating deficit projected at over $1.4 million by year-end, driven by a 43% jump in hauling contractor costs and lower transfer station volume. Council discussed accelerating rate hikes and exploring long-term service delivery options.
Long-Term Water Management Plan and Aquifer Modeling
The subcommittee reviewed water policies within Chapter 1, emphasizing long-term water management, annexation limits, intergovernmental agreements, and acknowledging ongoing drought conditions.
Outside City Limits Water Service Policy Update
The council amended city code and adopted a resolution to permit city water service connections for 53 specific older parcels outside city limits that lack sewer access. Officials emphasized this is a one-time, limited solution with strict safeguards.
Water Meter Replacement and EyeOnWater Smart Meter Program
The city is more than halfway through replacing all 27,000 water meters with new smart meters, which has significantly reduced billing service orders. Staff are also working to increase customer sign-ups for the EyeOnWater app to help residents monitor usage and catch leaks early.
Ken Lindley Field Lease Consultation
The city council consulted with attorneys regarding potential lease terms for city-owned real property at Ken Lindley Field.
Wastewater System Centralization & Capacity Expansion
A resident urged the council to assign a single, accountable project manager to oversee the city's complex and expensive wastewater centralization project to ensure deadlines and regulatory consent orders are met.
Water Budget Tracking and Allocation
The subcommittee is reviewing water allocations for residential and non-residential projects to ensure usage stays within established limits under the 2022 Water Management Policy.
2026 State Water Legislation Monitoring
Staff updated the subcommittee on 2026 state legislative bills tracked by NAMWUA, including measures on stormwater recharge, water rate regulations, land division disclosures, and groundwater transportation.
Sundog Ranch Road Transfer Station Master Plan
City officials and consultants reviewed an $18.4 million master plan to modernize the Sundog Ranch Road Transfer Station. The project aims to separate public self-haul traffic from commercial trucks and increase capacity by up to 40%.
Code Exemption for Water Service Without Sewer Connections
The city is considering changing code rules so that property owners in older outlying subdivisions can get city water even if there's no sewer line nearby. Many residents have found their lots unbuildable because they are trapped between having waterlines right outside their property and a city rule requiring expensive sewer extensions.
Gila River Adjudication and Legal Strategy
City Attorney Joseph Young and staff discussed the Gila River Adjudication, noting that Prescott is reviewing its statement of claimants and monitoring court activity to protect its water rights in the Upper Verde River watershed.