HB2029 is a bill that amends Arizona's groundwater management laws to require the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to include effluent in hydrologic modeling when determining the physical availability of groundwater for evaluating applications for assured water supply certificates or designations. The bill specifies that effluent generated from a proposed subdivision must be included in the model if the applicant secures a commitment for wastewater service from a water or wastewater provider and demonstrates that the infrastructure for effluent reuse will be funded by the water provider, wastewater provider, or the applicant themselves.

The key changes introduced by this bill are the inclusion of effluent in the hydrologic models used by ADWR and the conditions under which this effluent must be considered. Previously, the law did not specify the inclusion of effluent in such models. Now, the bill mandates that effluent be factored into the groundwater availability analysis, provided the applicant meets the two new requirements regarding wastewater service commitment and funding for infrastructure.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-581
House Engrossed Version: 45-581