Page 28 - Arizona Buyers Guide

6 SEWER
Even if the listing or SPDS indicates that the property If it has been disclosed that the property is subject to
is connected to the city sewer, a plumber, home any such soil conditions or if the buyer has any concerns
inspector, or other professional should verify it. Some about the soil condition or observes evidence of
counties and cities can perform this test as well. cracking, the buyer should secure an independent
assessment of the property and its structural integrity by
7 Water/Well Issues a licensed, bonded, and insured professional engineer.
The property may receive water from a municipal https://azre.gov/PublicInfo/Fissures
system, a private water company, or a well. You (ADRE – Overview of Arizona Soils)
should investigate the availability and quality of the https://bit.ly/3rTzD2O
water to the property, as well as the water provider. A (Problem Soils AZGS)
list of Arizona’s water companies is available at the
Arizona Corporation Commission. http://bit.ly/2MpcKNU
https://www.azcc.gov/utilities/water (Shrink/Swell Potential & FAQs)
(Arizona Corporation Commission - Utilities-Water) http://bit.ly/2yfzVHR
https://new.azwater.gov/aaws/statutes-rules (Information on Land Subsidence & Earth Fissures)
(Assured and Adequate Water Supply) www.btr.state.az.us
(State Certified Engineers & Firms)

Adjudications: Arizona is undertaking several Stream
Adjudications, which are court proceedings to determine 9 Previous Fire/Flood
the extent and priority of water rights in an entire river
system. If it is disclosed there has been a fire or flood on the
For information regarding water uses and watersheds property, a qualified inspector should be hired to
advise you regarding any possible future problems as a
affected by these adjudications, and the forms upon sale result of the fire or flood damage and/or any
of the property, visit the Department of Water Resources subsequent repairs. For example, if the property was
online. not properly cleaned after a flood, mold issues may
Adjudications Overview | Arizona Department of Water Resources result. Your insurance agent may be able to assist you in
(azwater.gov) (Department of Water Resources – Adjudications)
obtaining information regarding fire, flood, or other past
damage to the property.
CAGRDs: The Central Arizona Groundwater
Replenishment District (CAGRD) functions to replenish 10 Pests
groundwater used by its members, individual subdivisions Cockroaches, rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, scorpions,
and service areas of member water providers. termites and other pests are common in parts of Arizona.
Homeowners in a CAGRD pay an annual assessment fee Fortunately, most pests can be controlled with pesticides.
which is collected through the county property tax Scorpions: Scorpions, on the other hand, may be
process based the amount of ground water served to difficult to eliminate. If buyer has any concerns or if the
member homes. SPDS indicates the seller has seen scorpions or other
www.cagrd.com pests on the property, seek the advice of a pest
(Central Arizona Ground Water Replenishment District) control company.

8 Soil Problems Bed Bugs: Infestations are on the rise in Arizona and
nationally.
The soil in some areas of Arizona has “clay-like” Roof Rats: Roof Rats have been reported in some
tendencies, sometimes referred to as “expansive areas by Maricopa County Environmental Services.
soil.”
Other areas are subject to fissure, subsidence and Termites: Consumer Information is available from
other soil conditions. Properties built on such the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
soils may experience significant movement Bark Beetles: Bark beetles have been reported in some forested
causing a major problem. areas.

Page | 7 of 13 Arizona Department of Real Estate Buyer Advisory (July 2022)