Assigned to NREW FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2055
underground water storage; permitting
Purpose
Modifies the period of time the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources
(ADWR) must review applications regarding stored water permits.
Background
ADWR administers all Arizona water laws, except those related to water quality, and has
jurisdiction over surface water, groundwater, wells, sewers, dams and reservoirs. ADWR aims to
safeguard the health, safety and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving and
enhancing Arizona's water supplies in a bold, thoughtful and innovative manner. The Director of
ADWR is appointed by the Governor and must direct, operate and control ADWR (A.R.S. Title
45, Chapter 1).
A person looking to store water, groundwater or store water underground must first apply
for and receive a permit from the Director of ADWR. Four types of stored water permits are
available, including: 1) an underground storage facility permit that allows a person to operate a
facility that stores water in an aquifer; 2) a groundwater savings facility permit that allows a person
to deliver a renewable water supply to a recipient who agrees to replace groundwater pumping
with in lieu water; 3) a water storage permit that allows a person to store water at an underground
storage facility or a groundwater savings facility; and 4) a recovery well permit that allows a person
to recover long-term storage credits or to recover stored water annually. For all types of
applications, current statute requires the Director of ADWR to issue a decision and order within
six months after the date of notice of an application (A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 3.1).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Extends the period of review for the Director of ADWR, from 100 days to 180 days, for the
consideration of an application for an underground storage facility permit.
2. Reduces the period of time, from 6 months to 100 days after the date of notice of an application,
that the Director of ADWR must issue a decision regarding an application for stored water
permits.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date. FACT SHEET
H.B. 2055
Page 2
House Action
NREW 2/6/24 DP 10-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/20/24 56-1-2-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 5, 2024
RA/KP/slp