During a recent update from Johnson Utilities LLC's interim manager, EPCOR informed the Arizona Corporation Commission that water pressure has improved throughout the community and that any problematic areas experiencing pressure issues are to be improved by Spring 2020.

The update was at the ACC's Oct. 29 meeting.

"Hydrogen sulfide odors in the air have greatly improved due to the installation of an automated odor treatment system and the rehabilitation of existing carbon systems. When levels of hydrogen sulfide are above .03 mg/L, the air is automatically treated, but when levels are below .03 mg/L, the system shuts off to minimize costs," according to a release from the ACC.

EPCOR stated they are starting to face cash-flow challenges as they expect to be cash-flow negative by the end of March 2020. To combat this issue, EPCOR proposed raising hook-up fees for new water and wastewater service connections, the release states.

Johnson Utilities is developing a finance plan to support the capital improvement plan approved in Decision No. 77330 (edocket.azcc.gov/Document/DocumentDetailDocument?documentId=260739#docket-detail-container1). The company is also preparing for its rate case with an Aug. 31, 2019 test year to be filed by Dec. 31, 2019, the release states.

All documents related to the Oct. 29 agenda item can be found in the Arizona Corporation Commission’s online docket at edocket.azcc.gov and entering docket No. WS-02987A-18-0050 and WS-02987A-15-0284 .