A look behind the tap: What your water bill supports

Water may not be something you think about often, but it’s a crucial part of your daily routine—from splashing water on your face in the morning to washing dishes at night. Many people are often surprised to learn about the significant effort that goes into delivering clean, reliable water to our homes, local businesses, and community facilities, as well as what your monthly water bill helps support behind the scenes. We wanted to share a more detailed explanation, so here's a helpful breakdown.

Every drop starts in nature

Although we use water every day, we don’t always think about where it comes from. In central Arizona, every drop starts in nature — from melting snow in the mountains north of the Valley and as far as the Colorado Rockies to rivers like the Salt, Verde, and Colorado. We also rely on underground aquifers that store water accumulated over thousands of years.

Securing this water isn’t free. Water providers must pay for usage rights, long-distance delivery, and infrastructure to bring it here. To strengthen water security, the ten AMWUA cities have invested heavily in diversifying their water portfolio s, including water from the Salt River Project (SRP) and the Central Arizona Project (CAP), which transports water from the Colorado River a total of 336 miles from Lake Havasu, through the Valley, and down to Tucson.

Making water safe to use

Once water reaches a city’s water system, the job is far from over. It still must be treated, cleaned, and tested at large-scale treatment facilities before it’s safe to drink. These facilities process millions of gallons every day, removing contaminants and meeting rigorous state and federal safety standards.

Only after this treatment process is complete does the water travel through hundreds of miles of underground pipes to reach your home, business, or school.

Maintaining the system

The ten AMWUA cities’ water systems  are complex, vast, and expensive, so your water provider needs a proactive maintenance and repair program, especially since, like everything else, water pipes do age. Regular maintenance, repairs, and upgrades ensure a steady and reliable water supply. This involves overseeing hundreds of miles of pipes, treatment plants, thousands of watts of electricity, and many hours of labor—all of which are reflected in your bill.

All of this ensures you have clean, reliable water whenever you need it — whether it’s for showering, cooking, or watering your garden.

What happens after you use it?

Once water goes down the drain, it doesn’t just disappear. It flows into another complex system: the wastewater system, where it’s transported to a wastewater treatment plant, where it's cleaned and made available for reuse. All AMWUA cities have been maximizing the use of recycled water for decades by putting the vast majority to beneficial use. It is used for energy production, creating riparian habitats, irrigating sports fields, golf courses, non-edible crops, and commercial landscapes.

The experts who keep the water flowing

Providing water to more than half of the state’s population is a significant accomplishment, and it relies on hardworking professionals to ensure that you have access to water. The ten AMWUA cities employ over 2,500 water professionals , each playing a vital role in delivering water to your tap, providing essential wastewater services, and ensuring water operations run smoothly. They work together every day to ensure water is delivered to our homes, businesses, schools, and health facilities 24/7. 

Your bill helps raise your water awareness

Your monthly water bill shows the amount of water you use. Making changes, such as fixing leaks, switching to energy-efficient fixtures, and converting landscapes to include desert-adapted plants, can make a significant difference. The AMWUA cities also provide rebates , conservation tips, and resources  to help lower your water use and bills.

It’s more than a bill, it’s an investment

Providing safe, reliable water in a desert state like Arizona requires strategic planning, constant upkeep, and long-term investment. Your water bill helps fund:

• Secure and sustainable water supplies
• State-of-the-art treatment and testing facilities and equipment
• Infrastructure maintenance, upgrades, and modernization
• Conservation and public awareness programs

Despite the considerable work involved in sourcing, treating, and delivering water, it often remains one of the most affordable utilities, typically costing less than your internet or electricity service. So next time you turn on the tap, remember: your bill isn’t just paying for water — it’s an investment in the health, safety, and future resiliency of your community, providing you with the reassurance that your water supply is secure and reliable.

For 56 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .