PHX Reporter

Republican legislators in Arizona are pressing for clarity on the state's groundwater reserves. Representative Gail Griffin, alongside Senator Tim Dunn and former Senator Sine Kerr, has formally requested the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to provide detailed information about the state's rural groundwater basins. This request, sent on December 23, 2024, seeks data on average depth-to-water levels, maximum and average basin depths, total groundwater volume, and the number of index wells.

Representative Griffin emphasized the necessity of this information due to its absence from current state and local records. She highlighted that despite a legislative requirement for ADWR to conduct recurring "Supply and Demand Assessments" every five years, essential details such as "how much water do we have" remain unaddressed. "The intent was to give Arizonans a better understanding of the groundwater supply beneath their feet," she said.

During a House Committee meeting on February 20, 2025, it was noted that these assessments are meant to function like "water budgets." However, when Representative Teresa Martinez inquired about the current water reserves, no definitive answer was provided by ADWR. Representative Griffin questioned the utility of a "water budget" without knowing the existing reserves.

A preliminary response from ADWR on January 7 revealed some details about basin depths but lacked comprehensive data on available groundwater volumes. The Willcox and Gila Bend basins were identified as being 4,800 feet deep at their deepest points.

To address these gaps in information, Representative Griffin has introduced HB2271. This legislation aims to amend existing statutes to ensure future reports include critical data such as total water availability and projected longevity at current depletion rates. "Republicans and Democrats both agree we need to know how much water is available in order to make informed decisions on critical groundwater policy," Griffin remarked.

The bill passed through the House NREW Committee along party lines and received support from various officials before advancing to the Senate for further consideration.

Information from this article can be found here.