Prescott vs Payson vs Cottonwood vs Verde Valley vs Camp Verde

[Macinpup]

Here’s a question about these areas. Which one of them has the best water source? Do any of these places have to have water truck in? How is their water management? I’m looking at Prescott, Prescott Valley, Payson, Cottonwood, Verde, or anywhere that has the lowest risk a fire from wildfires and enough water supply. I know Arizona is very good with their water management. But it’s a bit sketchy up north from Phoenix, so I’m curious which of those have high cost of water or not

[agorski]

The Prescott area (includes PV) is an Active Management area and uses groundwater wells. In rainy years, some water is pumped back into the aquifer to recharge.

[k2rider]

Originally Posted by Macinpup

Here’s a question about these areas. Which one of them has the best water source? Do any of these places have to have water truck in? How is their water management? I’m looking at Prescott, Prescott Valley, Payson, Cottonwood, Verde, or anywhere that has the lowest risk a fire from wildfires and enough water supply. I know Arizona is very good with their water management. But it’s a bit sketchy up north from Phoenix, so I’m curious which of those have high cost of water or not

Unless I was surrounded by woods, I think you're generally safe from fires in any of those areas but would imagine, based only on photos I've seen, that Payson seems the most wooded overall.

[WiringGuru2]

Originally Posted by Macinpup

Here’s a question about these areas. Which one of them has the best water source? Do any of these places have to have water truck in? How is their water management? I’m looking at Prescott, Prescott Valley, Payson, Cottonwood, Verde, or anywhere that has the lowest risk a fire from wildfires and enough water supply. I know Arizona is very good with their water management. But it’s a bit sketchy up north from Phoenix, so I’m curious which of those have high cost of water or not

Arizona is a desert even the mountains and trees are desert.



Lots of areas in Dewey/Prescott Valley/Williamson valley have dry wells and need to haul water in. I have property there and my parents live in coyote springs it's all wells that are 1-2gpm with holding tanks or they haul water. Williamson valley is the same not a lot of water outside of certain areas. Within the city of prescott they have their own water system with very deep wells hookup costs depend on your area.



Payson has its own water system and reservoir but the pine/strawberry areas have been running dry on their wells. Just like prescott area too much drilling. There's not much property available in the area that is on their water system though (it's just in town proper) so outside town you may be drilling a deep well for 1.5gpm or hauling water.



Cottonwood I cannot speak about water wise apart from the verde river and agriculture in the area so probably has decent water supply. The verde river is gross though tons of agricultural and silt runoff it looks like sewer water.



Also pay very close attention to the HOA and CCR rules in your prospective area. Some of them are hell to deal with.