Bill > SB1176

This bill allows for the storage of stormwater in constructed underground facilities within the Phoenix Active Management Area, enabling entities to earn "replenishment credits" for the recharged stormwater, which can then be used to offset their own water replenishment obligations or transferred to other eligible entities. Specifically, the bill amends existing law to permit water storage applications to include stormwater that will be recharged for aquifer replenishment in an underground storage facility, and it adds a new section defining stormwater as collected rainfall runoff from impervious surfaces, excluding surface water, effluent, incidental recharge, or net natural recharge. The Director of Water Resources will annually determine the quantity of recharged stormwater and credit the storer's account with 95% of that volume, maintaining records of these credits, which are treated as groundwater and not stored water, and their use or transfer must occur within the same subbasin, either from groundwater withdrawn within two miles of the storage facility or from groundwater served by a water provider whose service area is within that proximity. Importantly, the storage of stormwater under this provision will not affect existing water rights.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84082