Arizona Approves New Global Water Santa Cruz Rates
The Arizona Corporation Commission approved a settlement raising water rates for Global Water's Santa Cruz Water Company customers in Pinal County, effective December 1, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Utilities
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The Arizona Corporation Commission approved new water rates for Global Water - Santa Cruz Water Company, which serves Pinal County including the City of Maricopa, Red Rock, and Inland Port Arizona. The rates take effect December 1, 2026, raising annual revenue by approximately $2.3 million.
Why it matters
The increase raises the monthly bill for the median customer using 5,500 gallons by $2.68, affecting households across Arizona's rapidly growing Pinal County communities. The decision also sets the framework for upcoming rate cases for other Global Water utilities serving the state.
The approved settlement sets a $63.6 million rate base and a 9.6% return on equity, with a 55% common equity and 45% debt capital structure. The rate case was based on a 2024 test year with updates for post-test-year plant investments.
The players
Arizona Corporation Commission
The state regulatory body that oversees utility rates and approved the settlement setting the new water rates.
Global Water Resources
The Phoenix-headquartered water utility company that owns the Santa Cruz Water Company and operates systems across Arizona.
The details
The Commission approved the settlement, which raises GW-Santa Cruz annual revenue by about $2.3 million. Global Water has begun preliminary planning for its next GW-Santa Cruz rate application, tentatively scheduled for 2028.
Timeline
December 1, 2026: New GW-Santa Cruz water rates take effect.
First half of 2027: Expected filings for GW-Palo Verde and Pima County utilities using a 2026 test year.
2028: Next GW-Santa Cruz rate application tentatively scheduled.
2029: New GW-Santa Cruz rates estimated to take effect.
Market Landscape
The approval fits Global Water's pattern of periodic rate cases across its Arizona service territories as it expands systems in fast-growing Pinal and Pima counties. Upcoming filings for GW-Palo Verde and Pima County utilities will test whether the Commission applies similar return and capital-structure standards.
Households served by GW-Santa Cruz will see roughly $2.68 more per month on the bill for a median customer using 5,500 gallons starting December 1, 2026. Customers can review available bill assistance programs through the company's customer assistance page.
The takeaway
Households in Pinal County should factor the modest monthly increase into household budgets beginning December 2026. Keeping an eye on upcoming Global Water filings in other Arizona service areas will show how future rate changes may affect other communities.
What happens next
Global Water expects first-half 2027 filings for GW-Palo Verde and Pima County utilities, with new rates estimated in 2028, and a GW-Santa Cruz rate application tentatively scheduled for 2028.
Further reading
Explore more Utilities coverage for the latest on Arizona's regulated water and energy providers.
More information
Customers can review Customer bill assistance programs on the Global Water website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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