Assigned to NREW FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
REVISED
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 underground water storage 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 an underground water storage permit from the Director of ADWR. Four types of
underground water storage 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 water storage 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 underground
water storage permits.
3. Makes technical changes. FACT SHEET – Revised
H.B. 2055
Page 2
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Revisions
1. Outlines four types of underground water storage facility permits:
a) underground storage facility permit;
b) groundwater savings facility permit;
c) water storage permit; and
d) recovery well permit.
2. Specifies that the time frame modifications apply to all underground water storage facility
permits.
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 6, 2024
RA/KP/slp