Frequently Asked Questions

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Queen Creek's Water Supply

All current Town of Queen Creek residential water customers have a certificate of 100-year assured water supply. The Town has been working proactively to diversify its water supply to reduce reliance on groundwater and is committed to ensuring a safe, reliable supply of water today and into the future.

The Governor’s announcement with ADWR does not impact any current Queen Creek water customers nor any projects under development. The announcement has a minimal impact on Queen Creek - a small number of undeveloped properties do not have an assured water supply - those properties must find a renewable source of water before they can develop.

Is Queen Creek running out of water?

Will the Governor's 2023 announcement stop growth in Queen Creek?

No. The majority of Queen Creek has an assured water supply for the next 100 years. There are approximately 15,000 platted approved lots that have a secured water supply and are ready for homes to be built on them. A small number of property owners do not have a certificate of assured water supply (approximately 10,000 single family homes); a renewable source of water will need to be secured in order to develop. The Town is working with those landowners to determine options. The Governor's announcement made it clear that using groundwater for development is no longer an option, and that aligns with Queen Creek's goal of reducing the dependence on groundwater.

Will my water rates go up?

The Town is currently conducting a water and sewer rate review using a third party to assist in determining our rate structure. Under the direction of the Mayor and Council, the Utilities Department has been proactive in securing renewable water supplies and acquiring them well below the current market rate. These acquisitions, including water from Cibola and the Colorado River, will help reduce groundwater pumping and validates the decision by the Town Council to pursue the purchase of renewable supplies. With last week's announcement by the Governor and the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources stating that no new pumping of groundwater will be allowed for future development, these acquisitions of renewable supplies are quite timely. Moving forward, future development without a certificate of assured water supply will likely pay more for water in order to develop and those increased costs will likely be rolled into the development costs and passed onto the buyer. Water rates in Queen Creek have remained unchanged since 2010-11. If the rate study identifies increases, they will be spread over the 40,000+ customers.

What can I do to help conserve water in my home or business?

Other than reducing reliance on groundwater, what else is the Town doing?

The Town is working with high-use HOAs to monitor and reduce their water use.

The Town provides water conservation education to elementary schools to create a generational understanding of water use.

Infrastructure improvements are also a key component of the Town’s water conservation efforts.

- The Town completed a 3-million-gallon water-storage facility in 2020 and is constructing two additional facilities.

- The Town is working to efficiently use recovered water and avoid using potable (drinking water) for landscaping at parks and HOAs. The lakes at Mansel Carter Oasis Park, Frontier Family Park and several lakes at developments pull recovered water (or recharged effluent) from the ground for landscaping needs. The recovered water is being used instead of groundwater.

The Annual Water Quality Report contains important information about the source and quality of your drinking water.

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What is the hardness of my water?

Is there fluoride in my water?

What is my water pressure?

How can I test for a leak?

When and how does my meter get read?

Can I drain my pool into the sewer system?

Whether draining your pool or backwashing the filter, the Town encourages you to use this excess water to irrigate your lawn and landscape. Property owners are responsible for keeping the water contained in their yards. Please do not allow your pool water to overflow your property into a neighbor's yard, the street, alleyway or other types of Town of Queen Creek right-of-way.

NOTE: Care must be taken when using pool water to irrigate lawns or landscape. Pool water contains higher levels of salt and chlorine than normal tap water. Check to ensure that the levels of chemicals in your pool water are safe for the types of plants and grass you plan on watering. Do not spray the water directly onto plant leaves and avoid over watering.

If you are draining your pool you may also use the clean-out on your home's sewer system. Sewer clean-outs can be located in several different locations depending on the age of the home. If you cannot locate the clean-out, or you are not sure what it is, consult a plumber or a home builder for its exact location.

WARNING: This process is only recommended for those homes connected to the Public Sewer System and is not recommended to homes that are connected to Septic Tank systems. Septic tanks are not designed to handle these types of flows. Emptying pool water into a septic tank could result in expensive repairs and damage.

To view a copy of the Town's Pool Draining Policy, please click here.

Do I need a permit to drain my pool?

Do I get a break on my water bill when filling my pool?

How do I know what my last meter reading was?

Where does my water come from?

The Town's drinking water originates from groundwater sources. Groundwater is pumped from a combination of drinking water wells located throughout the water distribution system. Water is either pumped directly into the distribution system or pumped to fill a water storage tank for future use. A small amount of chlorine disinfection is applied at entry points to the distribution system to maintain federal drinking water standards.

Is my water safe?

Last year, as in previous years, Town of Queen Creek tap water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state drinking water health standards. We are continually observant of past, present and future land uses in and around our area. The Town implements all reasonable measures to vigilantly safeguard our water supplies, and once again we are proud to report that our system has never violated a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard.

The Town is part of the state of Arizona's Monitoring Assistance Program and contracts with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to do testing at all of our wells. The following tests are completed by the Town.

For more information, view the Town's Annual Water Quality Report .

How can I help reduce the mosquito population in Queen Creek?

Arizona summer heat coupled with monsoon rains provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Maricopa County Health Department suggests the following:

Remove all standing water, which is the breeding ground for mosquitoes. Empty birdbaths and fountains, and dump and refresh livestock water at least twice a week.

Check that all septic tanks are closed tightly. Make sure the clean-out plug or inspection hatch is not open even a crack.

Livestock can pack the ground, reducing water absorption causing standing water. Gypsum can be added to soil to assist with softening ground. Rip or churn pastures once a year to improve absorption.

Horse Owners - It's recommended, if your horses are not already vaccinated, you check with your veterinarian regarding this process. After initial vaccination, an annual booster is recommended.

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Queen Creek's Water Supply