Epcor Water - Sun City

EPCOR serves approximately 9,000 connections in the Anthem district of Sun City, Arizona. Our water comes primarily from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project (CAP) and is supplemented by groundwater pumped from the Salt River Valley basin.

The Colorado River water travels from Lake Havasu through the CAP Canal to Lake Pleasant, creating a blend of Colorado River and Agua Fria River water. This mixture is transported through an 8-mile pipeline to the Anthem Water Treatment Plant, which utilizes advanced microfiltration technology to meet current and future water quality standards.

Our groundwater system includes two wells that draw from the Salt River Valley basin. This basin is recharged through natural mountain front runoff, agricultural and urban water use, and purpose-built recharge facilities designed to maintain sustainable water levels.

In 2004, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality completed a source water assessment of our wells and surface water intake. Their evaluation examined potential contamination risks from nearby land uses such as gas stations, landfills, dry cleaners, agricultural areas, and mining operations. The assessment found our two wells had no concerning adjacent land uses, while the surface water intake had one high-risk land use nearby.

Some residents may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than others. Those with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly individuals, and infants should consult their healthcare providers about their municipal water consumption.

EPCOR regularly monitors water quality throughout our system. In 2017, we tested for lead and copper at 30 representative homes across the community and met all federal standards. If your home was included in this sampling, you would have received the analysis results directly.

We are committed to maintaining our infrastructure and protecting our valuable water resources. Our technical teams continuously monitor both the groundwater supply and the associated pumping and transportation facilities to ensure reliable service and high-quality water for all customers.

1. Who owns the water service line to my house? You do. Property owners are responsible for maintaining the water service from the City main to the building entry point. As a courtesy, our Water Department will repair the portion from the main to (but not including) the curb box valve. Property owners remain responsible for the line from the curb box to the building.
2. Will the City repair portions of the water service I'm responsible for? Sometimes. Depending on time and resources, the Department may agree to make repairs after proper completion of a consent form. Property owners will be billed for time and materials.
3. Who repairs damaged sidewalks and driveways after water main breaks? We do. Our restoration team will repair or replace sidewalks, driveways or streets damaged during Water Department excavations using standard City materials (concrete, asphalt, brick). Special materials or custom landscaping in the City's right-of-way remains the property owner's responsibility.
4. Will you restore my lawn after excavation work? Yes, once. We'll restore lawn areas using standard topsoil and seed. Property owners must water and maintain the restored area; we cannot return to replant if proper maintenance isn't provided.
5. What should I do about a high water bill? First, call the Water Department at 434-5300. We'll review your service history for usage changes and can send an inspector to check for leaks or other issues—a free service. While we can't repair internal plumbing problems, we can often identify issues and recommend solutions.
6. Is it true that Sun City water was judged best in the state? Yes. In 2003, our municipal water was judged the best-tasting ground (reservoir) water in New York State during a competition at the State Fair.
7. What are the oldest water mains in the city? Approximately 55 miles of our 376-mile system date to the mid-19th century, with some cast iron mains possibly installed as early as 1813. If confirmed, these would be the oldest functioning cast iron pipes in the western hemisphere. Even earlier, wooden water mains (hollowed tree trunks) were installed in the 1700s, though it's highly unlikely any remain operational.
8. Why do more water main breaks occur in cold weather? There's a direct correlation between breaks and snow cover. A good layer of snow actually insulates underground pipes and reduces harmful frost penetration into the soil, making snow beneficial for water infrastructure protection.
9. Is the Water Department checking every water main? Yes. Using advanced leak detection technology, we're systematically surveying every water main to locate hidden leaks. Over 25% of the city's 670 streets have been checked, resulting in 52 hidden leaks discovered and repaired.