Bill > HB2418

This bill introduces a new article to Arizona law focused on compensating customers for effluent (treated wastewater) in active management areas with safe yield groundwater management goals. The bill requires municipal water providers with exclusive service areas to calculate and credit eligible customers for the market value of effluent they generate that is not recharged in their local area. Specifically, before billing a customer, the municipal provider must determine the total volume of wastewater received, the effluent produced, the amount recharged locally, and the customer's proportional share of the effluent's market value. Eligible customers are defined as those located in the specified active management areas who receive water and wastewater services from the same municipal provider. The bill provides detailed rules about what constitutes recharging effluent versus non-recharging uses, and establishes enforcement mechanisms, including a process for customers to challenge the municipal provider's calculations through written complaints to the director or by filing a private legal action. If a municipal provider is found to have miscalculated a customer's proportional share, they may be liable for damages, attorney fees, and interest. The overall intent appears to be giving customers more transparency and potential compensation for the water resources they generate through their wastewater.

Budget and Finance

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82211