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Opinion

Chaet: Huge delays in repairing Paradise Valley water leaks

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I am writing this editorial in response to the article in the PV Independent dated Aug. 25.

The title of the article is “Scottsdale declares ‘Stage 1’ of drought plan.”

My family has lived in the Town of Paradise Valley, specifically, Mountain View Estates for the past 40 years. During that time, I have noticed leaks from water lines under the streets in the neighborhood.

My neighbors and I have promptly called the town to repair the lines as there are huge amounts of water being wasted.

It always takes weeks to repair any leak.

Before my wife and I left for vacation about 10 days ago, we contacted our neighbor about a water leak on his property (we were not sure at the time as to the location of the leak). We just returned home last night and noticed a 2-inch hole in the middle of our street with a large flow of water going into the street and wash.

I can’t accurately measure the amount of water flowing and being wasted, but 10 days (and counting) for 24 hours per day is probably thousands of gallons of water going down a wash.

Fortunately, I did notice official writing on the street so I assume someone will be out to repair the leak. But the apparent lack of urgency of the town is rather concerning; especially in a drought!

Putting this water leak/waste in perspective, this is just our small neighborhood. I can’t imagine how many other water leaks are occurring in the township.

We are aware that leadership starts at the top level of any organization; business or government.

Asking citizens to conserve water is wonderful and necessary. However, citizens should expect their municipality to make every effort to develop and maintain their infrastructure.

Obviously, conserving water has always been important in Arizona. We are in a drought so when a local resident calls the town office with a water leak, it should take days, not weeks to solve the problem.

All of us need to be responsible and conserve our valuable resource.

Editor's Note: Richard Chaet is a resident of Paradise Valley.