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A Summary of Water Conservation Programs in Active Management Areas
This summary is intended to serve as a resource for municipal water providers
and other organizations wishing to begin or expand their water conservation
programs. It contains information about conservation services, education
programs, outreach, rate structures, incentive programs, ordinances, and more.
Purpose Of AMAs
The State’s Active Management Areas were established to
provide long-term management and conservation of their limited groundwater
supplies. In order to accomplish this the AMAs administer state laws, explore
ways of augmenting water supplies to meet future needs, and routinely work to
develop public policy in order to promote efficient use and an equitable
allocation of available water supplies.
Third Management Plans - Second Modification
On May 20, 2008, orders became effective adopting modifications to the municipal conservation programs of the Third Management Plans for the five Active Management Areas.
The Director adopted the modifications following public hearings held in each of the AMAs during the first week of March, 2008. To view the transcripts of the public hearings, the summary of hearings and findings, the Orders of Adoption and the actual modification language, click here.
Evaluation of the Active Management Area Management Plans
Prepared by the Arizona Water Institute
More than half-way into the 45-year period for meeting the goals of the Arizona Groundwater Management Act (GMA), ADWR will be developing the fourth of five management plans for each of the Active Management Areas (AMAs), as mandated by the Act.
This report provides an examination of the intended functions/purposes of the management plans relative to legislative intent, an evaluation of the management plan provisions to date from the perspective of ADWR staff and the regulated community, an assessment of the effectiveness of the management plans in meeting their goals, and suggestions of what stakeholders would like to see in future management plans.
It concludes with several key recommendations based on the implications of the study results. This project will assist ADWR as it moves forward with the development of the Fourth Management Plans. This evaluation provides a foundation for change in the approach and content of the final two management plans.
In order to facilitate the implementation of the findings of this study relating to determining the effectiveness of the conservation programs and initiating long-term regional water planning, the authors offer the following recommendations:
1: ADWR should provide water use data for all sectors on at least an annual basis. These data must be reported in a consistent format over time and across AMAs.
2: State of the AMA reports should be produced on a yearly or biennial basis.
3: ADWR should shift its focus to long-term water planning, but still maintain the current conservation programs.
4: The Augmentation and Recharge Program and the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District rules need to be reviewed and updated to ensure fairness.
Click here to view the study. 
Detailed AMA Information Here
Use the links below for detailed description of 5 AMA's.
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Prescott AMA
- Over 485 sq. miles
- Consists of 2 sub-basins
- 3 MAF of groundwater in storage
- 20,000 AF of Annual Use
Phoenix AMA
- Over 5600 sq. miles
- Consists of 7 sub-basins
- 287,000 acres of farmland
- Over 2 MAF of annual water use
Pinal AMA
- Over 4,000 sq. miles
- Consists of 5 sub-basins
- 275,000 acres of farmland
- Over 800,000 AF of annual water use
Tucson AMA
- Over 3,800 sq. miles
- Consists of 2 sub-basins
- Over 300,000 AF of annual water use
Santa Cruz AMA
- Over 750 sq. miles
- Consists of 1 sub-basin
- Over 20,000 AF of annual water use
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Irrigation Non-Expansion Area Facts
 The 1980 Groundwater
Management Act established two Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (INAs) - the
Joseph City INA and the Douglas INA. Since the law was passed, the Harquahala
area has also been designated an INA. When an area is designated as an INA, a
restriction is placed on increasing the number of irrigated acres in the area.
In the Joseph City and Douglas INAs land that was legally irrigated at any
time between January 1, 1975 and January 1,1980 may continue to be irrigated. In
the Harquahala INA, the period establishing the right to irrigate is January 6,
1976 to January 6, 1981.
There is one exception. If the Director of the Department of Water Resources
(DWR) finds that substantial capital investment was made for on-site irrigation
facilities or improvement of land for irrigation use, that land may be
irrigated. The investment must have been made during a specified period of time.
In the Joseph City and Douglas INAs, the investment must have occurred during
the twelve months before June 12, 1980. In the Harquahala INA any improvement
made during the five year period preceding January 6, 1981 is considered.
All landowners in the INAs should be aware of several important requirements
of the Groundwater Code.
Measuring Devices
All persons withdrawing groundwater from non-exempt wells within an INA must
use a measuring device and measuring method to record water use. An exception is
made for persons who withdrew 10 acre-feet or less for non-irrigation purposes
only. A non-exempt well has a pump capacity over 35 gallons per minute or
irrigates more than two acres.
Wells
The Code requires that all existing wells be registered with
the Department of Water Resources. The fee for well registration is $10.
Prior to drilling a new well or deepening an existing well, a
person must file a Notice of Intent to Drill with the Department. Forms are
available from the Department and must be accompanied by a $10 filing fee. Authority to
deepen an existing well or drill a new well will be valid for one year; after
that a new Notice of Intent must be filed. A driller licensed by the Department
must perform the work.
Annual Reports
The Groundwater Code requires that each person withdrawing groundwater from a
non-exempt well in an INA must file an annual report of groundwater withdrawals
by March 31 of each year. An annual report must be filed whether groundwater is
withdrawn for irrigation or non-irrigation purposes. However, if no water is
withdrawn during a particular calendar year, then it is not necessary to file an
annual report for that year.
Change of Ownership
Each person who owns a well must notify the Department of Water Resources of
any change in ownership of the well. Additionally,
forms
are available from the Department for changing ownership of a Notice of
Irrigation Authority.
Municipal Conservation Program -
Third Management Plan Review
The Department is currently
conducting an evaluation of the regulatory program for
large municipal water providers contained in the Third
Management Plan.
More»
For More Information
Douglas INA inquiries and questions,
contact the Tucson AMA:
Harquahala and Joseph City INA inquiries,
contact the Phoenix AMA:
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