Progress Amplifies on AWC Water Tank Construction

The Arizona Water Company (AWC) has announced that its East Sedona Water Storage Facility is set to become operational by the end of the year. Located at the intersection of State Route 179 and West Mallard Drive, the facility aims to address the peak water supply demands in the Chapel area.

AWC Division Manager John Snickers estimates the project cost to be approximately $20 million. He emphasized the importance of this infrastructure in ensuring reliable water supply, particularly during emergencies or equipment failures.

Deputy Fire Marshal Kirk Riddell of the Sedona Fire District highlighted the facility’s benefits, noting an expected increase in hydrant flow. “Now there will be 1.5 million gallons of water in the Chapel area,” he said, a significant improvement from previously relying on water sourced from Uptown Sedona.

Construction of the tank has been a long-awaited development for AWC. Snickers pointed out that the facility will enhance water storage capacity on the east side of town along the 179 corridor, providing crucial redundancy for fire flow and emergency scenarios.

The project broke ground in October last year, culminating nearly seven years of planning, public hearings, reviews, and legal battles. Notably, the Arizona Court of Appeals reinstated the project’s conditional use permit on October 6, 2022, after a temporary block due to litigation.

According to Snickers, construction is slightly ahead of schedule. Concrete for the tank’s roof is expected to be poured within the next two weeks. The completed site will feature a 1.5-million-gallon underground water storage tank, a 3,000-gallon-per-minute booster pump station, and two buildings that blend with the surrounding community’s architectural aesthetics.

The facility’s design minimizes visual impact, with most of the tank situated below ground level. This approach, stipulated by the conditional use permit, aims to mitigate any potential negative effects on property values.

Snickers explained the operational mechanics of the facility, noting that it will use a combination of system water and well water. Once filled, booster pumps will distribute the water throughout the system. The facility is designed to require minimal maintenance, with only occasional visits from service trucks.

Efforts are being made to replant trees removed during construction. Many of these trees are stored at AWC’s yard in the Village of Oak Creek, and most will likely return to the site, with some possibly being donated to the city of Sedona.

For ongoing updates on the construction, residents can visit AWC’s official website at azwater.com/east-sedona-waterstorage.