Oro Valley Water Reports 2012 Activities

---
The Oro Valley Water Utility Commission has published a draft of its annual water report to the town Council. The report will be discussed at the next water utility commission meeting.    We thought we'd highlight some of what's in the report for you.

•  The utilities served 18,716 customers in 2012
•  The water utility employs 36
•  the utility operates 22 wells and 19 water distribution storage reservoirs
•  There were 171 new connections in 2012; a growth rate of .92%
•  The delivered 2.3 billion gallons of drinkable water and  684,000,000 gallons of reclaim water
•  The utility conducted 144 water audits.

"Groundwater levels continue to decline in the Oro Valley aquifer but to a significantly lesser extent than in previous years because of the decrease in groundwater pumping. Operation of the reclaimed water system and the delivery of CAP water have slowed the groundwater decline, thus conserving, preserving and protecting our aquifer and our groundwater supply. Plans for future use of our remaining CAP water allocation are being developed."

The utility is developing  a youth conservation water education program for elementary schools.

"The Utility continues to be fiscally sound. Water rates include a Groundwater Preservation Fee which is used to fund the development our renewable reclaimed and CAP water supplies. Water development impact fees, which fund expansion of the water delivery system, have been collected to ensure that growth pays its fair share. In 2012, the Utility further reduced its debt obligations and annual debt service through refinancing and paying off principal."

---