Tag: groundwater

Governor’s Executive Budget Proposal Includes Funding for Key ADWR Initiatives

On By azwater

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         January 16, 2025

CONTACT: Doug MacEachern or Shauna Evans

PHONE: 602.771.8507 or 602.771.8079

GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES FUNDING FOR KEY ADWR INITIATIVES

Funding to support Arizona’s on-going efforts to protect the State from  Colorado River supply reductions

Phoenix, AZ — Today, Governor Hobbs released her FY 2027 Executive Budget, which funds critical ADWR programs and efforts, including water conservation, consumptive use reductions, infrastructure upgrades, supply augmentation, and other shortage mitigation efforts.

It is paramount that Arizona protects its water users and mitigates the adverse effects of anticipated reductions across the basin. To support Arizona’s water users, the initiatives funded in the budget proposal include:

  • $30 million one-time deposit into the newly created Colorado River Protection Fund to aid conservation efforts and continue building a sustainable and growing economy.
  • Permanent funding into the Colorado River Protection Fund through a water usage fee assessed on data centers by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

“Once again, Arizona is leading the way in protecting the Colorado River and at recognizing the drier future ahead and the challenges that drier future presents to all the Colorado River states,” said ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke.

“These resources proposed by Governor Hobbs represent Arizona’s commitment to protecting the river, as well as the Arizona water users and citizens who depend upon it.”

“I hope that this financial commitment by the Governor will send a message to our Colorado River partner states, as well as the federal government, that Arizona is prepared once again to make necessary sacrifices to protect the system, just as we were in 2019 with the Drought Contingency Plan.”

The current guidelines for the operation and management of the Colorado River system expire at the end of calendar year 2026. Arizona and the six other Basin States are negotiating the post-2026 guidelines with the federal Bureau of Reclamation in order to develop a framework that more sustainably manages the Colorado River system.

The Director of ADWR serves as Arizona’s lead negotiator and is charged with protecting the State’s 2.8 million acre-feet entitlement of Colorado River water, representing as much as 40 percent of the State’s water supply.

While Arizona is committed to collaboration and cooperation with its Basin States partners, it is possible that new guidelines or the absence of a negotiated outcome could result in litigation among the Basin States.

Arizona continues to pursue good-faith negotiations that hopefully will result in a consensus outcome for more sustainable Colorado River management. At the same time, this appropriation ensures that ADWR has the resources to defend Arizona’s interests and water users who depend on the State’s precious Colorado River entitlement.

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ADWR Director finds cause for Ranegras Plain Groundwater Basin to become Arizona’s 8th Active Management Area

On By azwater

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         January 12, 2026

ADWR DIRECTOR FINDS CAUSE FOR RANEGRAS PLAIN GROUNDWATER BASIN TO BECOME ARIZONA’S 8TH ACTIVE MANAGEMENT AREA

PHOENIX – The Director of Arizona Department of Water Resources, Tom Buschatzke, on Friday, January 9, issued his Findings, Decision and Order to designate the Ranegras Plain Groundwater Basin as a subsequent Active Management Area (AMA).

As a result of the decision, the Ranegras Plain Groundwater Basin AMA becomes the eighth Arizona AMA and the third to be designated since 2022.

The Department first identified the Ranegras Plain Groundwater Basin as a basin experiencing significant groundwater level declines at the Governor’s Water Policy Council (GWPC) Rural Groundwater Management Committee meeting held on August 17, 2023.

ADWR held an informational public meeting on October 15, 2025, where ADWR staff presented hydrologic and regulatory information, and answered questions from residents and stakeholders. The Department later released a technical memorandum describing the hydrologic information on file regarding the basin and then held a statutorily-required formal hearing, on December 18, 2025.

As part of the formal hearing, the Department received over 400 oral and written comments. The vast majority supported designating the Ranegras Plain AMA.

“The future of residents and businesses depends upon protecting the finite groundwater resources in the Ranegras Plain basin. This is a critical step in achieving that outcome,” said Director Buschatzke.

Water users in the Ranegras Plain Basin rely on groundwater as the sole source for their agricultural, industrial, commercial, and residential water uses.

Groundwater pumping in the basin has increased significantly since 2015, with annual withdrawals now exceeding inflows by more than 900 percent. As a result of the substantial overdraft on the aquifer, groundwater level declines of over 200 feet have been observed since the 1980s.  Those pronounced declines have led to significant land subsidence in the basin, the rate of which has been increasing year over year.

One well showed a decline of 242 feet over the last 40 years. These declines and associated subsidence jeopardize wells and groundwater storage in the Basin.

AMAs institute mandatory metering/measurement and reporting requirements for non-exempt groundwater use. Reliable water use data benefits all water users in the basin, improving decision-making and water management, and encouraging transparency. AMAs formalize and quantify groundwater water rights and withdrawal authorities, giving groundwater users certainty and security. 

AMAs are required to institute a Management Goal and Management Plans for the basin, developed and adopted with local input. Management Plans come with mandatory conservation requirements and other measures to implement the Goal. 

The Department will send additional information to stakeholders and residents of the basin over the coming weeks.

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For further information, contact:

ADWR: Shauna Evans, Public Information Officer | 602-771-8079 | smevans@azwater.gov

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Arizona Department of Water Resources field hydrologists conducting “basin sweep” to collect water level measurements in the Willcox, Douglas, San Bernardino Valley and San Simon Basins

On By azwater

PHOENIX- Beginning the week of January 12th, 2026, and continuing for several months, Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) field services staff will be making an extensive effort to measure water levels in wells in the Willcox, Douglas, San Bernardino Valley and San Simon Basins.  ADWR staff will attempt to measure water levels at hundreds of wells in these groundwater basins.  This survey of wells – or “basin sweep,” as it is known — will be the first such basin survey of the area since 2021.

The data collected will be analyzed and used to obtain a comprehensive overview of the groundwater conditions and used to support scientific and water management planning efforts. Data collected will be used for several purposes, including:

  • Analysis of water-level trends
  • Groundwater modeling
  • Water-level change maps
  • Hydrologic reports
  • Water resource planning and management

The general area covered by this basin sweep is the southeastern portion of the state and extends from the U.S. – Mexico border to north of Willcox, Bowie and San Simon. 

For more information regarding this matter, please contact Public Information Officer Shauna Evans at smevans@azwater.gov or (602) 771-8079.

Details about the nature of basin sweeps and groundwater modeling can be found here. If you would like to volunteer your well for participation in this groundwater survey please contact the Hydrology Division at (602) 771-8535.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

On By azwater

Arizona Water Protection Fund

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         January 6, 2026

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

PHOENIX – The Arizona Water Protection Fund (AWPF) is a competitive state grant program that provides funding to interested parties for maintaining, enhancing, and restoring river and riparian resources throughout Arizona, including projects that benefit fish and wildlife that are dependent on these important resources. The distribution of grant funds from the AWPF is authorized pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-2101 et seq. and is overseen by the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission (Commission). The program is administered through the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-2105 et seq. the Commission is required to develop guidelines for applicants for funding, and is seeking input from interested landowners, state and federal agencies, Tribal entities, local government entities, non-profit organizations, and the public.

Specifically, the Commission is requesting comments related to:

  • Current grant application structure and processes, and suggestions on streamlining and/or simplifying the grant application;
  • Geographic areas in the state where protection and restoration should be prioritized (e.g., particular watersheds or streams; feature categories such as stream headwaters; etc.);
  • Issues of concern that the AWPF should focus on across the state or in specific areas; and
  • Types of measures to address the issues of concerns identified.

The most recent version of the AWPF grant application may reviewed online at https://www.azwpf.gov/ or in person at the Arizona Department of Water Resources office (address listed below).

A public hearing to receive comments, with a virtual attendance option, will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the following location:

Arizona Department of Water Resources

Thunder River Conference Room

1110 W. Washington Street, Suite #310

Phoenix, AZ  85007

Cisco Webex Application Guidelines Hearing Information

Link: https://bit.ly/48Y9pRc
Meeting Number (Access Code): 2535 625 5151
Meeting Password: Gx6RBYMUr33

or                                

Join by Phone

1-415-655-0001 US TollAccess Code: 2535 625 5151

Any person may appear at the public hearing, either in person or by representative, and submit oral or written comments.  Any person attending via webinar may present oral comments.  Persons presenting comments at the hearing or via webinar may be subject to a time limit to ensure all who wish to speak receive an opportunity to do so.  If, because of a disability, you need a reasonable accommodation to participate equally at this public hearing, contact Lizette Fuentes at 602-771-8472 or lfuentes@azwater.gov. Please make requests as soon as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Comments not submitted at the public hearing may be submitted during the 45-day public comment period, which begins Tuesday, January 13, 2026 and ends Friday, February 27, 2026 at 5 p.m.  Written public comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., on February 27, 2026.  Written comments can be hand-delivered, or sent via email or fax.  If mailed, written comments must be postmarked no later than February 27, 2026.  Please send written comments electronically or in writing to:

MAILING ADDRESSPHYSICAL ADDRESS
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Arizona Water Protection Fund
Attn: Reuben Teran
1802 W Jackson St. Box #79
Phoenix, Arizona 85007		Arizona Department of Water Resources
Arizona Water Protection Fund
Attn: Reuben Teran
1110 West Washington, Suite 310
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
FAXEMAIL
(602) 771 -8686rteran@azwater.gov

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ADWR CELEBRATES NEW, “ALTERNATIVE” ASSURED WATER SUPPLY PATHWAY

On By azwater

PHOENIX – Today Governor Katie Hobbs signed a proclamation celebrating the first implementation of the new “Alternative Designation of Assured Water Supply Program,” commemorating a new pathway for increasing Arizona’s housing supply while at the same time maintaining the vital consumer protections of the State’s landmark Groundwater Management Act.

“This program, dubbed ADAWS, represents the culmination of a challenging public stakeholder process that kept protection of Arizona’s groundwater supplies as a top priority,” said Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke.

“I commend Governor Hobbs for her leadership in this effort, and I further commend my hard-working staff for the countless hours they have contributed to making this alternative pathway to an Assured Water Supply a reality for participating providers.”

“The many stakeholders involved in this process have been intensely engaged and determined to find that next adaptation of water policy that allowed incremental, sustainable growth while protecting groundwater. I heartily commend them as well.”

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See: EPCOR Water Arizona-West Valley System AWS Designation

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PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND FISCAL YEAR 2026 GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

On By azwater

Arizona Water Protection Fund

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         August 29, 2025

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND FISCAL YEAR 2026 GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

PHOENIX – The Arizona Water Protection Fund* has received grant applications for its fiscal year 2026 funding cycle.

Grant applications are now available for public review at the Arizona Water Protection Fund website at https://www.azwpf.gov/grant-information/fy-2026-grant-cycle or at the Arizona Department of Water Resources physical address described below.

Written comments regarding grant applications may be submitted during the 45-day public comment period, which begins September 2, 2025 and ends October 17, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Written public comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., October 17, 2025. Written comments can be mailed, sent via email, or sent by fax. If mailed, written comments must be postmarked no later than October 17, 2025. Please include application numbers and project titles. For additional information, please contact Reuben Teran, Executive Director, at (602) 771-8528.

MAILING ADDRESSPHYSICAL ADDRESS
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Arizona Water Protection Fund
Attn: Reuben Teran
1802 W Jackson St. Box #79
Phoenix, Arizona 85007		Arizona Department of Water Resources
Arizona Water Protection Fund
1110 West Washington, Suite 310
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
FAXEMAIL
(602) 771 -8687rteran@azwater.gov

* The Arizona Water Protection Fund supports projects that develop or implement on the ground measures that maintain, enhance and restore Arizona’s river and riparian resources.

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ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 GRANT CYCLE

On By azwater

Arizona Water Protection Fund

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         May 14, 2025

ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 GRANT CYCLE

PHOENIX- The Arizona Water Protection Fund (AWPF) supports projects that develop or implement on-the-ground measures that directly maintain, enhance and restore Arizona’s river and riparian resources.

The AWPF Commission will be accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 grant cycle and will award grants under three categories: capital projects, research, and water conservation. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, August 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time. Applications will only be accepted electronically via the eCivis Grants Management System. The eCivis grant application portal link, grant cycle schedule, grant application manual, and electronic forms are available on the AWPF website at https://www.azwpf.gov/grant-information/fy-2026-grant-cycle.

AWPF staff will be hosting one grant application workshop:

Location: Online Webinar*

Date: Wenesday, June 11, 2025

Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Webinar Information:

Link: https://azwater.webex.com/azwater/j.php?MTID=m24989c585e1c6304ec947d328a68bd00
Webinar Number (Access Code): 2531 065 3328
Webinar Password: nAPr9inAY82
Join by Phone: 1-415-655-0001 US Toll (Access Code is same as above)

*Staff will be providing the grant application workshop via online webinar only, but a recording will also be available on the AWPF website at https://www.azwpf.gov/grant-information/fy-2026-grant-cycle. Please contact the Arizona Water Protection Fund at 602-771-8528 or rteran@azwater.gov with any questions.

The Arizona Legislature established the AWPF in 1994 (A.R.S. § 45-2101, et seq.). The Arizona Department of Water Resources provides administrative, technical, and legal support to the AWPF Commission. The legislation establishing the AWPF provides that it is the declared policy of the Legislature to provide for a coordinated effort between state funding and locally led solutions for the restoration and conservation of the water resources of the state. A.R.S. § 45-2101(A). The primary purpose of the AWPF is to provide monies through a competitive public grant process for implementation of measures to protect water of sufficient quality and quantity to maintain, enhance, and restore rivers and streams and associated riparian resources consistent with existing water law and water rights, and measures to increase water availability.
A.R.S. § 45-2101(B).

For additional information, please contact Reuben Teran at rteran@azwater.gov.

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ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES FIELD HYDROLOGISTS CONDUCTING “BASIN SWEEP” TO COLLECT WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENTS IN TUCSON/SANTA CRUZ AMAS

On By azwater

PHOENIX- Beginning the week of March 3, 2025, and continuing through April 2025, Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) field services staff will make an extensive effort to measure water levels in wells within several groundwater basins in Southern Arizona. This survey of wells – or basin “sweep”, as it is known, was last conducted during the Spring of 2020.

The data collected will be analyzed and used to obtain a comprehensive overview of the groundwater conditions and used to support scientific and water management planning efforts. Among others, data uses will include:

  • Analysis of water-level trends
  • Groundwater modeling
  • Water-level change maps
  • Hydrologic reports
  • Water resource planning and management

The groundwater subbasins that will be targeted are as follows; Avra Valley, Cienega Creek, San Rafael, Santa Cruz AMA and Upper Santa Cruz. These subbasins cover several thousand square miles of Tucson Metro, farmland, riparian areas, Santa Cruz River and rugged terrain in Southern Arizona along the border of Mexico. Additional coverage areas include the cities and towns of Green Valley, Tubac, Nogales, Patagonia and Sonoita.

For more information regarding this matter, please contact Public Information Officer Shauna Evans at smevans@azwater.gov or (602) 771-8079.

Details about the nature of basin sweeps and groundwater modeling can be found here. If you would like to volunteer your well for participation in this groundwater survey please contact the Hydrology Division at (602) 771-8535.

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ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND WELCOMES NEW TRIBAL APPOINTMENT

On By azwater

Arizona Water Protection Fund

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         March 4, 2025

ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND WELCOMES NEW TRIBAL APPOINTMENT

Phoenix, AZ — The Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission (Commission) is proud to announce that Rolando Flores, councilmember of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, has been appointed to the Commission by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona on February 21.

In a letter announcing the appointment of Mr. Flores, Inter Tribal Council President Paul J. Russell observed that “Mr. Flores will bring valuable insights and contributions to the Commission, helping to further its mission of protecting and enhancing Arizona’s water resources for future generations.”

The Water Protection Fund is a competitive State grant program that provides funding for the development and implementation of measures to protect water of sufficient quality and quantity to maintain, enhance and restore rivers, streams and riparian habitat, including projects that benefit fish and wildlife that are dependent on these important resources.

Commission members are appointed for three-year terms. They may serve more than one term and may continue to serve beyond the expiration of the term until a successor is appointed and assumes office.

According to State statute, the Commission should include “(o)ne person who represents an Indian tribe and who is appointed by the chairman of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona.”

Water Protection Fund Commission Chairman Pat Jacobs said that “we welcome Mr. Flores for his perspective and understanding of surface-water issues.”

He observed that Arizona’s tribal community “has been without a representative in that position on the Commission for a long time,” and thanked the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona “for appointing a highly qualified representative.”

Mr. Jacobs noted having a Commission member who is representative of tribal perspectives, as well as someone with Mr. Flores’ extensive understanding of surface-water issues, “is vitally important.”

Mr. Flores, an attorney and graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law, has previously served as Attorney General of the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe.

Currently, he is the co-chair for the Economic Development Oversight Committee of the Tribe. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association.

For further information about the Water Protection Fund, or for information about upcoming WPF Commission meetings, visit http://www.azwpf.gov contact WPF staff at Phone: (602) 771-8528.

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Arizona Governor Hobbs proposes adding over $60 million to defend State’s water future

On By azwater

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         January 30, 2025

CONTACT: Doug MacEachern

PHONE: 602.771.8507

ARIZONA GOVERNOR HOBBS PROPOSES ADDING OVER $60 MILLION TO DEFEND STATE’S WATER FUTURE

A breakdown of water-related investments included in the recently released Executive Budget proposal from Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs:

  • $14.6M Deposit to WIFA Water Conservation Grant Fund

Governor Hobbs has now allocated $14.6 million to the Water Conservation Grant Fund to enable the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) to continue investing in generational water conservation projects.

Thanks to $200 million awarded by the State in federal funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act, WIFA has been able to fund conservation-focused projects across Arizona. To date, WIFA has funded over 150 water conservation projects. The Governor’s 2025 Executive Budget proposal includes investments in current and future water solutions, including WIFA’s funding for rural water supply development and long-term augmentation.

These critical resources will help ensure that rural areas can invest in the infrastructure they need to be water resilient, statewide efforts continue their investment in the infrastructure Arizona needs to find sustainable, renewable water supplies for the future. These investments speak directly to the mission of WIFA, which has been to augment and expand Arizona’s water supplies.

  • $12M Grant for City of Buckeye Renewable Water Infrastructure

By enrolling in the new Alternative Designation of 100-year Assured Water Supply (ADAWS) Program, the City of Buckeye has committed to increasing the sustainability of its water resource portfolio, a major step forward toward creating sustainable growth. This allocation of $12 million will help Buckeye build infrastructure to reuse its effluent supplies and recover them from a hydrologically connected area; facilitating sustainable growth and increased use of renewable water supplies.

  • $7M Statewide Groundwater Monitoring and Data Collection

These allocations will provide ADWR with much needed additional tools to  ensure that Arizona’s groundwater resources are properly managed and protected. Governor Hobbs has invested $7 million to ADWR to install groundwater monitoring index wells throughout rural Arizona to observe declining groundwater levels and inform ongoing groundwater protection efforts. Without these index wells, ADWR hydrologists are less able to accurately assess the health of groundwater supplies in rural areas.

  • $5.5M For ADWR Hydrogeologic Studies in Priority Groundwater Basins

To help rural communities understand and protect their groundwater supplies, ADWR hydrologists create groundwater models that help water managers and community leaders understand the conditions of their aquifers. This $5.5 million investment will allow ADWR hydrogeologists to collect key hydrogeologic information to build these critical models in groundwater basins experiencing severe water declines.

  • $3.45M ADWR Leading Edge Satellite Water Monitoring Systems & Equipment

This investment with ADWR funds the acquisition and use of cutting-edge technologies including absolute gravity survey equipment to monitor aquifer conditions, funding for the Arizona Continuously Operating Reference Stations (AZCORS) Network that provides critical GPS data for scientists, engineers, and surveyors throughout Arizona. It provides funds for satellite monitoring of statewide water demand, and funding for ADWR contractual partnerships with the US Geological Survey (USGS) to collect key water use data.

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