Committee advances emergency measure requiring ADWR review of certain Phoenix AMA assured-water applications

Summary

SB 1,200 would require ADWR to re-evaluate certain certificates of assured water supply filed between Jan. 26, 2021 and Aug. 31, 2023 in the Phoenix AMA using older groundwater models; Central Arizona Project opposed on replenishment obligations and ADWR warned the measure could cause groundwater overallocation. Committee gave the bill a do-pass recommendation.

Senate Bill 1,200, heard Feb. 16, would require the Arizona Department of Water Resources to review specified applications for certificates of assured water supply in the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) and issue determinations as if earlier groundwater models applied.

Jeff Gray of the Central Arizona Project told the committee the measure would add roughly 6,000–7,000 acre-feet of additional obligation to the Groundwater Replenishment District at a time when GRD wet-water resources are strained (the GRD expects about 20,000 acre-feet of wet water versus roughly 40,000 acre-feet of obligations in the near term). David Fernandez of ADWR said the bill’s requirement to rely on 2006–2009 models would exclude 15–20 years of subsequent demands that ADWR’s current model (deployed 06/01/2023) accounts for, risking over-allocation and negative impacts to existing development.

After debate over consumer protections and reliance on older models, the committee voted 5–3 to give SB 1,200 a do-pass recommendation.