The rapid growth in Arizona’s population, coupled with prolonged drought, has strained its already scarce water resources. Accommodating population growth in a responsible manner has required Arizona to be a leader and innovator in water policy. The Assured Water Supply Program requires 100 years of continuously, physically and legally available water for the areas where groundwater management is required. The Arizona Water Banking Authority, operating since 1997, has stored over three million acre-feet of Colorado River water in anticipation of future shortages. The Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD), authorized in 1993, enables affordable use of renewable water supplies by those without long-term contracts for Central Arizona Project (CAP) water and/ or the ability to deliver CAP water to their service areas. Arizona’s recharge and recovery statutes and regulations are central to all of these programs as well as the reuse of treated wastewater. Agriculture and municipal and industrial water users partner in a special recharge program, called the groundwater savings program. This program has conserved significant quantities of groundwater for future use.
Water Policy Innovations and Challenges in Arizona
May 01, 2010
Rural Connections
,
Stephanie Malin ed.
2 vol.
,
no. 4
, pages 49-50
,
58 pp.
,
Western Rural Development Center
,
Logan UT 84322-8335