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Active Management Areas (AMAs)
In 1980, in response to legal challenges, funding threats to the Central Arizona Project and the problems associated with severe groundwater overdraft,
the Arizona legislature passed the landmark Groundwater Management Act. The legislature embodied its intent in the Declaration of Policy:
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- “...it is necessary to conserve, protect and allocate the use of groundwater resources of the state and to provide a
framework for the comprehensive management and regulation of the withdrawal, transportation, use, conservation and
conveyance of rights to use the groundwater in this state.”
§45-401(B)
The Act created the Arizona Department of Water Resources, ensured completion of the CAP, and established Active Management Areas with long-term
management goals. Within AMAs, rights were established, wells are regulated, and the municipal, industrial and agricultural sectors are subject to mandatory conservation programs that are established
in Management Plans adopted every ten years.
Since 1980, the basic framework of the Act has been built upon to include provisions for recharge and recovery, assured water supply, water banking and groundwater replenishment.
Water Rights
Within AMAs, the Groundwater Code authorizes water users and water providers to use groundwater in accordance with a system of water rights
and withdrawal authorities that recognize historic uses and allows for certain new uses. A separate authority is required to drill a new well.
The Tucson AMA administers more than 1,000* groundwater rights and permits.
- 148 Service Area Rights (7 with Designations of Assured Water Supply)
- 845 Grandfathered Rights:
- 63 Type 1 rights
- 346 Type 2 rights
- 436 Irrigation rights (226 of which are exempt/small)
- 48 Groundwater Withdrawal Permits
The Tucson AMA also administers 487 Irrigation Authorities in the Douglas INA.
(240 KB)
* As of 12/05
Wells
All wells in Arizona must be registered with ADWR and drilled by a licensed driller.
Within AMAs, a Notice of Intention to Drill (NOI) is required for proposed exempt wells (pump capacity <35 GPM), and a Drilling Permit is required for non-exempt wells.
Of the 13,000 registered wells* in the Tucson AMA, more than half are exempt wells with a pump capacity of 35 GPM or less.
Non-exempt wells that are new, or replacements in a new location, are reviewed to ensure that the well or wells will
"not cause unreasonably increasing damage to surrounding land or water users from the
concentration of wells" (§45-598)
pursuant to ADWR's Well Spacing and Impact Rules.
* As of 12/05
Recharge & Recovery
Arizona's underground storage and recovery program is an innovative water management tool that is designed to encourage use of renewable supplies
and allow for efficient & cost-effective management of water supplies (Declaration of Policy,
§45-801.01).
There are 15 active permits* for recharge projects in the Tucson AMA.
Of those, nine are direct recharge projects (Underground Storage Facilities; USFs),
and six are indirect projects (Groundwater Savings Facilities; GSFs).
There are 45 active Water Storage Permits associated with those projects.
There are also 19 Recovery Well Permits, covering some 270 wells.
The Tucson AMA also administers an underground storage project in Sierra Vista.
* As of 12/05
Assured Water Supply
The Assured Water Supply (AWS) Program
is designed to preserve groundwater resources
and to promote long-term water supply planning.
This is accomplished through regulations that
limit the use of groundwater by new subdivisions
that require a "Certificate" of AWS and by
"Designated" Water Providers that have
demonstrated an AWS for their entire service
area.
The AWS Program also provides consumer
protection by requiring developers to
demonstrate that sufficient water supplies are
available for new subdivisions prior to sale.
Tucson Water, Metro Water, Oro Valley, Marana, Rancho Sahuarita, and Vail Water Company have Designations of Assured Water Supply.
Compliance & Enforcement
The purpose of ADWR's compliance program is to help achieve the goals of the Groundwater Code.
The Tucson AMA monitors compliance with a variety of means, including annual water use reports, satellite imagery and on-site inspections.
Statute allows ADWR to seek civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day. However, few violations are deliberate, and enforcement actions
are often structured to help water users meet Code requirements rather than simply collect fines.
Tucson AMA Navigation Links
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(14 MB)
