Bill > SB1236

This bill modifies Arizona water storage regulations to introduce a new framework for stormwater recharge and storage credits, specifically within the Phoenix Active Management Area. The bill allows water storers to recharge stormwater in constructed underground storage facilities and receive replenishment credits, with the director of water resources determining the quantity of recharged stormwater annually and crediting 95% of the total volume to the storer's account. Storers can use or transfer these credits to offset their replenishment obligations within the same subbasin, particularly for groundwater withdrawn within two miles of the storage facility or served by a water provider in a nearby area. The bill provides a specific definition of "stormwater" as water collected from impervious surfaces like streets and sidewalks, explicitly excluding surface water, effluent, and other types of water recharge. Importantly, the bill stipulates that stormwater storage permits will not affect existing water rights and can be issued for stormwater alone or in combination with other water sources. The modifications aim to provide more flexibility in water management and incentivize stormwater capture and underground storage in Arizona.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82586