FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1)      What is the purpose of the Arizona Rural Watershed?

Governor Jane Dee Hull created the Arizona Rural Watershed Initiative to focus attention on rural water resource issues and provide funds to develop regional and watershed solutions through locally driven partnerships. The watersheds are made-up of your community people, with a shared concern for the future of your water resources.  Most of the watersheds have monthly meetings to discuss proposed projects, concerns and solutions.

2)      Am I located in a Rural Watershed?

The interactive map on the homepage of the Rural Arizona Watershed Alliance website covers the areas not already designated in an Active Management Area.  Refer to the map and your location for the correct watershed. 

3)      Who represents me in the Rural Arizona Watershed Alliance?

You can look at the representatives from the various watershed groups under the Contact Info link.

4)      Can I join a Rural Arizona Watershed?

Yes, you can participate in your local watershed group.  Make sure to view the Meetings & Calendar link for all the watershed group meetings.

5)      What is an Active Management Area (AMA)?

A geographical area designated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) as requiring active management of groundwater.  Four initial active management areas currently exist in central and southern Arizona within the regions of Phoenix, Pinal, Prescott and Tucson.  A fifth active management area was established in Santa Cruz requiring the active management of any water, other than stored water, withdrawn from a well. Subsequent active management areas may be designated through local initiative or by the Director of the Department.

6)       Where can I find out what an acronym means?

Under the FAQ link, you will see a list of the most frequently used acronyms.

7)       How can I find out if there is a meeting in my area?

Please view the Meetings & Calendar link for a current list of monthly meetings.  For further questions, please call us directly.

8)       Where do I find information regarding grants/funding for my water project?

There are a number of funding mechanisms for water projects in the state of Arizona.  This website lists some of those entities, like the Department of Water Resources, The Environmental Protection Agency and others. 

9)       Does the Department of Water Resources regulate the Rural Watersheds?

No, the Arizona Department of Water Resources was given authority to administer the initiative by providing technical and financial assistance to rural watershed partnerships.  Partnerships include local stakeholders and representatives of resource and regulatory agencies active in the area.

10)     Who does the Arizona Department of Water Resources regulate?

The Arizona Department of Water Resources has authority to regulate only within the Active Management Areas with relation to groundwater pumping.

11)     How do I contact the Arizona Department of Water Resources?

The mailing address is:

Arizona Department of Water Resources
Water Resource Planning
3550 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ  85012

Tom Whitmer        602-771-8416
John Fortune        602-771-8419