If enacted, this bill would amend the existing statute regarding the water supply and demand assessments conducted by the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). The current law requires the Director to prepare and issue assessments for at least six groundwater basins annually and ensure that all basins are assessed at least once every five years. The proposed changes would require the Director to include specific data points in each five-year assessment, such as the average depth-to-static level, changes in that level over the preceding five years, the maximum depth of bedrock, and various metrics related to active index wells and groundwater recharge projects.

The bill introduces detailed requirements for the content of the assessments, specifying measurements for the average depth-to-bedrock, total groundwater volume, and the number of years' worth of groundwater available, among others. These insertions aim to enhance the comprehensiveness of the assessments, providing a clearer picture of groundwater resources and management efforts in Arizona. The current language regarding the preparation and issuance of assessments remains unchanged, while the new requirements would be added to ensure more thorough evaluations of groundwater basins.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-105
House Engrossed Version: 45-105