The proposed bill would amend current statutes by requiring the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to include specific data in each five-year supply and demand assessment for groundwater basins. The current law mandates that the Director prepare and issue a water supply and demand assessment for at least six of the fifty-one groundwater basins annually and ensure that all basins are assessed at least once every five years. The bill introduces new requirements for the assessments, including metrics such as the average depth-to-static level, changes in groundwater levels, bedrock depth, the number of active index wells, and the volume of groundwater available, among others.

In summary, the bill adds detailed data points that the Director must report in the assessments, enhancing the information available regarding groundwater resources. This includes measurements of groundwater levels, well distribution, and recharge projects, which are intended to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the groundwater situation in Arizona. The bill does not alter the existing requirement for annual assessments but expands the scope of information that must be included in these reports.

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