The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the recovery of stored water in Arizona. Specifically, it would require the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to assume that a recovery well is located within the area of impact of stored water if the applicant does not submit a separate hydrologic study. This assumption would apply if the recovery well is situated on land permitted as a groundwater savings facility or within one mile of certain specified locations, including the exterior boundary of a constructed underground storage facility or the middle line of a drainage channel within the storage area of a managed underground storage facility.

Additionally, the bill would make technical changes to the language of the existing statutes, including the replacement of the term "sub-basin" with "subbasin" for consistency. It would also clarify the conditions under which recovery of stored water can occur, ensuring that the rights of conservation districts and other entities are maintained. Overall, these updates aim to streamline the permitting process for recovery wells while ensuring that water management practices remain effective and equitable.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-834.01