COB Policy on Strategic Water Planning.pdf

City of Buckeye Water Policy
Title: City of Buckeye Policy on Strategic Water Planning Number:
Drafted by: Terry Lowe, Water Resources Director Date: April 20, 2026
Revised by: Date:
I. INTRODUCTION
Water is an essential resource for sustaining life, preserving economic vitality, and supporting
the continued growth of a community. Likewise, business attraction and economic
development are fundamental to fostering a prosperous and resilient community in which
residents and businesses can thrive. Recognizing the critical role water plays in the long-term
socioeconomic success of the city, this policy establishes a comprehensive strategic
framework for water planning, resource management, and water-centric economic growth
and business attraction within the City of Buckeye.
II. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this policy, the following definitions shall apply:
Asset Management Program: A structured program for maintaining, rehabilitating, and
replacing infrastructure and equipment to optimize lifecycle performance and cost.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP): A multi-year planning document identifying major
capital projects and infrastructure investments.
Cost Analysis Model (CAM): A financial model developed by WRD to evaluate the costs
and impacts of prospective businesses on the city’s water and wastewater funds.
Development Fees / Impact Fees: Fees assessed on new development to offset the costs of
infrastructure required to serve growth.
Economic Development (ED): The city department responsible for attracting and retaining
businesses and promoting economic prosperity.
Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP): A City Council-adopted comprehensive planning
document that identifies current and future water supply, infrastructure, and resource needs.
Multiple or Large Meter (MLM) User: A commercial, industrial, or institutional customer
with significant water demands requiring additional evaluation.
Operations and Maintenance (O&M): The routine activities and costs associated with
operating, maintaining, and repairing utility systems.
Water Resources Department (WRD): The city department responsible for planning,
managing, and delivering water and wastewater services.
Water Portfolio: The collection of water rights, supplies, contracts, and resources available
to the city to meet current and future demands.
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III. RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Economic Development Department (ED): Is the lead agency responsible for
promoting and marketing the City of Buckeye and attracting businesses that contribute
to the economic prosperity and quality of life of the community.
b. Water Resources Department (WRD): Is responsible for the administration, planning,
and delivery of water and wastewater services to the majority of residents, businesses,
and developments within the City of Buckeye.
IV. RELATED POLICIES
a. Use of Reclaimed Water
b. Water Acquisition and Funding
c. Water Conservation
d. Water Allocations for Designation in Designated Area
V. STRATEGIC PLANNING
Preserving and strengthening the city’s standing as a resilient desert community for current
and future generations is a primary objective of the Water Resources Department. Securing
long-term, reliable water resources and maintaining resilient infrastructure for all utility
customers requires consistent, proactive, and strategic planning as outlined in this section.
a. Water Resources Department Strategic Plan
Three of the four core tenets, or “Challenge Areas,” of the WRD Strategic Plan are
focused on preparing the city for future growth and sustainability:
• Build and Maintain a Strong Water Portfolio
• Support Growth
• Maintain Strong System Health
The WRD Strategic Plan shall be reviewed and updated every five (5) years. As part
of this process, WRD shall evaluate and update all major water-focused planning and
operational documents, including but not limited to:
• Engineering Design Standards (EDS) and Utility Construction Standards
Water and wastewater engineering design standards establish the minimum
technical requirements and criteria for the planning, design, and construction
of public infrastructure. These standards ensure systems are uniform, safe,
reliable, and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. These
standards address requirements for pipelines, pump stations, storage facilities,
treatment systems, materials, hydraulic capacity, system redundancy,
operational efficiency, and maintenance accessibility to support long-term
sustainable infrastructure performance.
• Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP)
A City Council-adopted planning document focused on water and wastewater
infrastructure forecasts and long-term resource planning. The IWMP shall:
• Foster collaboration with the community through transparency and
high-quality municipal water planning;
• Establish water resource strategies for Assured Water Supply
designations and acquiring additional resources to strengthen the city’s
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water portfolio;
• Forecast water and wastewater infrastructure growth; and
• Inform decisions regarding system health and potential choke points as
the city grows
b. Asset Management Program (AMP)
WRD shall maintain an AMP, to manage all assets throughout their entire lifecycle to
maximize value, control risk, and support strategic objectives. Assets will be
evaluated on an annual basis which will be used to support accurate budgeting of
operations and maintenance (O&M) asset management expenditures. Asset
management activities focus on less frequent, more expensive activities, including
major asset rehabilitations and end of life, replacement of equipment, and
infrastructure.
c. Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
WRD shall maintain a comprehensive five-year CIP to expand and improve the city’s
water and wastewater infrastructure.
The WRD CIP shall be based on infrastructure needs that:
• Streamline operations and improve efficiency, thereby reducing operational
costs;
• Protect public health and safety and maintain regulatory compliance;
• Are identified in the current IWMP; and
• Are driven by anticipated development demands;
• The CIP shall be updated annually to support accurate CIP budgeting.
d. Development Fees (Impact Fees)
The city shall maintain the principle that “Growth Pays for Growth.” Development
impact fees are established to offset the cost of infrastructure necessitated by new
development. In accordance with applicable laws, the city shall update and adopt
development fees that will accurately reflect current growth projections and
infrastructure costs and needs.
e. Utility Rates
The city shall conduct a comprehensive utility rate study every four (4) to five (5)
years for the purse of accurately recovering the costs associated with providing water
and wastewater services. Proposed utility rates will also address the following over
the recommended rate cycle:
• Forecasted needs identified in the AMP;
• Forecasted Funding requirements identified in the CIP; and
• Forecasted water resource acquisitions.
VI. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Balancing economic growth with responsible water management is critical to ensuring a
sustainable and thriving future for the City of Buckeye. The city is committed to attracting
businesses that align with its strategic objectives and can be supported by available
infrastructure and water resources.
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For each prospective MLM water user, the Water Resources and Economic Development
departments shall jointly evaluate the water demands, economic benefit, and infrastructure
impacts of the proposed business.
Following initial contact with a prospective MLM business, WRD and ED staff shall conduct
a preliminary evaluation based on the following criteria:
a. Economic Impacts and Community Benefits
Primary economic considerations shall include:
• Number of jobs created;
• Average annual salary or wage;
• Capital investment;
• Annual direct revenue generation;
• Consistency with the Economic Development Strategic Plan; and
• Other community benefits deemed important by City Council.
b. Private Utility Availability
The feasibility of private utility providers meeting the proposed business’ needs shall
be evaluated, including but not limited to:
• Arizona Public Service (APS);
• Southwest Gas;
• Telecommunications and fiber providers; and
• EPCOR or Arizona Water Company.
c. City of Buckeye Utility Impacts
i. Utility Demand and System Capacity
The economic benefits of the proposed business shall be evaluated in
comparison to the projected demands placed on the city’s water and
wastewater systems, including:
• Potable water demand (gallons per day);
• Non-potable water demand (gallons per day);
• Wastewater discharge volume (gallons per day); and,
• Type of discharge and its potential effect on the wastewater system.
ii. Impacts to utility operations
A prospective business’s impact to the Water and Wastewater Funds shall be
determined using the WRD Cost Analysis Model (CAM).
The CAM is customized to each business and its specific circumstances to
accurately forecast impacts including:
• Impacts and benefits to the city’s water portfolio;
• Development impact fees received or credited;
• Increased treatment costs;
• Additional WRD staff costs, including after-hours shut-offs, testing,
and operational support;
• Permitting, certification, environmental fees, Global Water hookup
fees, and other miscellaneous expenses;
• Annual operations and maintenance costs for infrastructure and
facilities to be operated by WRD after construction.
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iii. Added Infrastructure
Infrastructure installed by new development that does not create unplanned
impacts to the city and is already identified in the IWMP or CIP shall be
deducted from the CAM to reduce the overall cost to the Water and
Wastewater Funds.
iv. Development Fee Impacts
1. Development Fee Credits:
New development may receive credits against development fees for
infrastructure installed to mitigate its impacts on the water and
wastewater systems. Such credits reduce the city’s burden to expand
utility systems. Credited fees shall neither benefit nor detract from the
CAM.
2. Collected Development Fees:
Collected development fees shall be deducted from the CAM to reduce
the overall cost to the Water and Wastewater Funds. Development fees
allow WRD to expand utility infrastructure without negatively
impacting existing ratepayers or utility funds.
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