Page 7 - Buyer Advisory
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6 SEWER may experience significant movement causing a major
Even if the listing or SPDS indicates that the problem.
property is connected to the city sewer, a plumber, If it has been disclosed that the property is subject to any
home inspector, or other professional should verify such soil conditions or if the buyer has any concerns about
it. Some counties and cities can perform this test as the soil condition or observes evidence of cracking, the
well. buyer should secure an independent assessment of the
property and its structural integrity by a licensed, bonded,
7 Water/Well Issues and insured professional engineer.
The property may receive water from a municipal http://www.re.state.az.us/PublicInfo/Fissures.aspx
system, a private water company, or a well. You (ADRE – Overview of Arizona Soils)
should investigate the availability and quality of the http://bit.ly/2sXBHHw
water to the property, as well as the water (Problem Soils)
provider. A list of Arizona’s water companies is http://bit.ly/2MpcKNU
available at the Arizona Corporation Commission. (Shrink/Swell Potential & FAQs)
https://www.azcc.gov/utilities/water http://bit.ly/2yfzVHR
(Arizona Corporation Commission - Utilities-Water) (Information on Land Subsidence & Earth Fissures)
http://bit.ly/1rj4DFWorhttp://bit.ly/VAuDO8 www.btr.state.az.us (State Certified Engineers & Firms)
(Wells & Assured/Adequate Water Information)
Adjudications: Arizona is undertaking several Stream 9 Previous Fire/Flood
Adjudications, which are court proceedings to
determine the extent and priority of water rights in If it is disclosed there has been a fire or flood on the
an entire river system. property, a qualified inspector should be hired to
advise you regarding any possible future problems as
For information regarding water uses and watersheds a result of the fire or flood damage and/or any
affected by these adjudications, and the forms upon subsequent repairs. For example, if the property was
sale of the property, visit the Department of Water not properly cleaned after a flood, mold issues may
Resources online. result. Your insurance agent may be able to assist you
http://bit.ly/1AsX14w in obtaining information regarding fire, flood, or other
(Department of Water Resources – Adjudications) past damage to theproperty.
Additionally, the Verde Valley Water Users assists
members in matters pertaining to the Gila River 10 Pests
System Adjudication. Cockroaches, rattlesnakes, black widow spiders,
www.verdevalleywaterusers.org (Verde Valley Water Users Association) scorpions, termites and other pests are common in
parts of Arizona. Fortunately, most pests can be
CAGRDs: The Central Arizona Groundwater
Replenishment District (CAGRD) functions to replenish controlled with pesticides.
groundwater used by its members, individual Scorpions: Scorpions, on the other hand, may be
subdivisions and service areas of member water difficult to eliminate. If the buyer has any concerns or
providers. Homeowners in a CAGRD pay an annual if the SPDS indicates the seller has seen scorpions or
assessment fee which is collected through the county other pests on the property, seek the advice of a pest
property tax process based on the amount of control company.
groundwater served to member homes. Bed bugs: Infestations are on the rise in Arizona
www.cagrd.com and nationally.
(Central Arizona Ground Water Replenishment District)
Roof Rats: Roof Rats have been reported in some
8 Soil Problems areas by Maricopa County Environmental Services.
The soil in some areas of Arizona has “clay-like” Termites: Consumer Information is available from the
tendencies, sometimes referred to as “expansive soil.” Arizona Department of Agriculture.
Other areas are subject to fissure, subsidence and Bark Beetles: Bark beetles have been reported in
other soil conditions. Properties built on such soils some forested areas.
Page | 7 of 13 Arizona Department of Real Estate Buyer Advisory (June 2019)
