The Governor’s Regulatory Review Council will hear and vote on a new proposal for an additional method to meet the State’s100-year water supply requirement for new developments.
The method is titled Alternative Designation of Assured Water Supply, and it has been a point of interest since the Arizona Department of Water Resources limited issuances of Certificates of Assured Water Supply.
In 2019, ADWR declared the stress on the groundwater supply was dangerous.
Pinal County Supervisor and Vice Chairman of the Pinal Groundwater Users Advisory Council, Steve Miller,claimed, “We have not approved new subdivisions in large parts of Pinal County for years,” because of the CAWS restrictions.
Miller believes that an updated set of assured water supply rules will enable the County to allow to continue to build houses to provide for the growing population.
The new proposal requires approval of a new subdivision that depends on water sources outside of groundwater, such as renewable water supplies.
CAWS would still be required but can be obtained as either a certificate or designation.
Designations impact whole service areas, while certificates will cover a particular subdivision.
The renewable water supplies would be incorporated with the groundwater and remain to carry an assurance of 100 years of supply.
New requirements would ensure that at least 25% of water must be provided from non-groundwater sources. Private water companies would be able to obtain a designation.
Governor Katie Hobbs previously vetoed five water bills, three of which dealt with ADWR.
ADWR received 233 comments for ADAWS, 226 of which were in support.
Proposals will be officially heard by Council on Oct. 29, with a vote scheduled for Nov. 5. (Source)