Senate committee advances bill to limit irrigation from domestic wells in stressed groundwater areas

The Senate Resources & Environment Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1083 to the fourteenth order for possible amendment after a multi-hour hearing that brought water users, municipal officials, builders and county planners.

The bill, presented by Sen. Kelly Anthon, would narrow how Idaho’s domestic-well exemption operates in areas designated as having groundwater stress (for example, groundwater management areas, critical groundwater areas or moratorium areas). Under current law the domestic exemption allows one household use, up to one-half acre of irrigation and up to 13,000 gallons per day without a water right. SB 1083 would limit exempt well use in designated areas to in-home uses and livestock watering; irrigation, lawn and landscape uses in those areas would require a water right or other authorization.

Supporters, led by Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association, said the measure is the product of a three‑year, multi‑stakeholder process that also adds a voluntary option to allow multiple residences to…