By Braxton Gries — Lead Compliance Manager // 2023-04-06
Some of the latest Census estimates show a likely leader in the West for population growth, Arizona, USA. More and more people are calling Arizona home than prior to the months leading up to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Nearing a population increase of around 1.3% since July 2021. It is no surprise the Grand Canyon State now must fight to protect one of its most valuable natural resources, water.
The Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs were created by the Arizona Department of Water Resources or ADWR. The sole purpose of these programs? Address the issue of Arizona’s limited groundwater supplies. Primarily, these programs evaluate the current and committed demand of water and affirm that at least 100 years of water will be available to serve the customers and future customers of the growing Cities of Arizona. Familiar names such as the Salt River Project and the Central Arizona Project are part of the bigger picture plan when it comes to ensuring the water is physically and legally available to residents.
Why should you be concerned? Consider the differences between the Assured and Adequate Supply Programs. Adequate Water requires five criteria to be demonstrated: physical water availability, continuous water availability, legal water availability, water quality, and financial capability. Additionally, a public report must be disclosed regarding the supply of water prior to marketing. Assured Water requires all the same criteria but does not require a disclosure report. On top of the previous criteria, developers must demonstrate consistency with management plan, and consistency with management goal as laid out by the operating Active Management Areas. Historically these areas are Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yavapai counties.
Earthworks will continue to inform our clients and members of the community to the best of our ability of rules and regulations by continual education and training of our own staff as well as community outreach, to ensure you are able to make the most informed decisions for your situation.
References
“Arizona Department of Water Resources.” AAWS Overview | Arizona Department of Water Resources, https://new.azwater.gov/aaws.
“Assured Water Supply Designation.” City of Phoenix, https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices/resourcesconservation/yourwater/water-resources-information/assured-water.
Cole Lauterbach | The Center Square. “Arizona's Population Growth Leads the West in Latest Census Estimate.” The Center Square, 22 Dec. 2022, https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_a9021cfc-822e-11ed-b0ed-17265649c857.html.
The Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs were created by the Arizona Department of Water Resources or ADWR. The sole purpose of these programs? Address the issue of Arizona’s limited groundwater supplies. Primarily, these programs evaluate the current and committed demand of water and affirm that at least 100 years of water will be available to serve the customers and future customers of the growing Cities of Arizona. Familiar names such as the Salt River Project and the Central Arizona Project are part of the bigger picture plan when it comes to ensuring the water is physically and legally available to residents.
Why should you be concerned? Consider the differences between the Assured and Adequate Supply Programs. Adequate Water requires five criteria to be demonstrated: physical water availability, continuous water availability, legal water availability, water quality, and financial capability. Additionally, a public report must be disclosed regarding the supply of water prior to marketing. Assured Water requires all the same criteria but does not require a disclosure report. On top of the previous criteria, developers must demonstrate consistency with management plan, and consistency with management goal as laid out by the operating Active Management Areas. Historically these areas are Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yavapai counties.
Earthworks will continue to inform our clients and members of the community to the best of our ability of rules and regulations by continual education and training of our own staff as well as community outreach, to ensure you are able to make the most informed decisions for your situation.
References
“Arizona Department of Water Resources.” AAWS Overview | Arizona Department of Water Resources, https://new.azwater.gov/aaws.
“Assured Water Supply Designation.” City of Phoenix, https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices/resourcesconservation/yourwater/water-resources-information/assured-water.
Cole Lauterbach | The Center Square. “Arizona's Population Growth Leads the West in Latest Census Estimate.” The Center Square, 22 Dec. 2022, https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_a9021cfc-822e-11ed-b0ed-17265649c857.html.