Board Governance
Who makes decisions about Community Water? Learn how the elected Board, committees, staff, and Arizona Corporation Commission each play a role in utility governance, financial oversight, strategic planning, and reliable water service. Read more...
Community Water is an Arizona public service corporation regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission. The Company files financial and operational information with the ACC, which oversees rates and service obligations.
The volunteer Board of Directors meets as a Board and through committees. Committees help review complex issues such as long-range planning, water system planning, governance, finance, and risk. Staff provides analysis, and Board members and Board Consultants review issues before major decisions are made.
When decisions involve rate changes, debt financing, major investments, or service area changes, the ACC process may add another layer of public review. Rate case filings and many financial filings are public, and members can follow those processes through the ACC.
Board decisions should reflect member priorities while also meeting legal, financial, operational, and regulatory requirements. Reliable water service depends on both local governance and disciplined utility management.
Your Rights as a Member
Membership comes with important rights and protections. Learn about water service, billing questions, complaints, new service, Board elections, and where to turn when you need help or have concerns about your service. Read more...
As a Community Water member, you have rights and protections related to service, billing, complaints, service extensions, and voting.
Service Quality: Community Water must provide water service that meets applicable drinking water standards. If an emergency requires a temporary shutoff, the Company works to notify affected customers and restore service as quickly as possible.
Billing and Payment: Members receive monthly bills for water usage and availability charges. If you have a question about a bill, customer service can review usage, check meter readings, and help resolve errors. Members may also use available payment options such as autopay, paperless billing, or payment arrangements when eligible.
Disputes and Complaints: If you disagree with a bill or service decision, start by contacting Community Water staff. Many issues can be resolved through a meter review, an account review, or a service investigation. If an issue remains unresolved, customers may contact the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Service Extensions: If you need water service for a new home or development, Community Water’s tariffs and applicable ACC rules explain how service extensions are reviewed and funded. Depending on the project, the developer, property owner, or applicant may be responsible for some or all extension costs. Members may request available Company information on current rates, service rules, and CC&N information.
Voting for the Board: Members have the right to vote for Board members at the annual meeting of members held in April, subject to the Company’s bylaws and applicable voting rules. Elected Board members owe fiduciary duties to the Company and its membership.
Community Water serves its members. Questions are best handled early, directly, and with the staff member or department closest to the issue.
Electing Your Board
Community Water members elect the directors who help shape the utility’s future. Learn how nominations, voting, proxies, Board qualifications, and member participation work—and why your involvement matters. Read more...
Members elect directors to the Community Water Board. Director terms are staggered so that the full Board does not turn over at once.
Nominations: Members interested in serving are encouraged to learn about the responsibilities of Board service. Serving as a volunteer Board Consultant can help members understand committee work, utility planning, fiduciary duties, and the time required for Board service. The Governance Committee reviews nominees to help ensure candidates understand the role and meet applicable qualifications.
Voting: Elections typically occur at the annual meeting. Each voting membership has one vote, subject to the bylaws. Members may vote in person or by proxy when allowed. Cumulative voting is not used.
Why Vote or Run: Board members help shape utility strategy, budget priorities, infrastructure planning, rate decisions, and long-term water supply planning. Even if you do not run, attending the annual meeting lets you hear about the Company’s performance and ask questions.
Accountability: Once elected, Board members have duties under Arizona law and the Company’s bylaws. Directors may be removed as permitted by the bylaws and applicable law. Member participation through voting, questions, and informed involvement helps keep the Board aligned with the Company’s mission.
Transparency and Accountability
Every gallon matters in the desert. Discover practical ways to reduce unnecessary water use and learn how conservation, leak detection, pressure management, and efficient operations support Community Water’s long-term water supply. Read more...
Each year, Community Water reports to members on performance, finances, and major issues facing the utility. The Company publishes audited financial statements and provides information about water quality, infrastructure, planning, and regulatory matters.
Transparency includes reporting both progress and challenges. Aging infrastructure, groundwater conditions, regulatory requirements, capital needs, and long-term supply planning are all part of the full story.
Accountability also comes through independent audits and regulatory oversight. An independent auditor reviews financial statements, and the ACC reviews rate case proposals, certain financing matters, and customer complaints that cannot be resolved directly.
Clear reporting helps members understand how Community Water is performing and where improvement is needed. It also helps Board members and community leaders understand the decisions ahead.