This bill proposes to amend current statutes regarding groundwater management by introducing new requirements for entities that distribute water for municipal use. Specifically, it mandates that these entities limit lost and unaccounted for water to eight percent or less of the total quantity of water entering their distribution systems. This is a reduction from the previous limit of ten percent. The bill also specifies that the calculation of lost and unaccounted for water can be done on either a calendar year basis or a three-year average basis.

Additionally, the bill requires the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources to adopt rules for the management plan for the fifth management period that align with these new requirements within six months of the act's effective date. The bill also makes technical changes to existing language, including adjustments to the terminology used in the context of water duties and irrigation efficiency percentages.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-568