Groundwater Wells & Permitting

An area which, as nearly as known facts permit as determined by the director pursuant to this chapter, may be designated so as to enclose a relatively hydrologically distinct body or related bodies of groundwater, which shall be described horizontally by surface description. A.R.S. § 45-402(13).

Groundwater withdrawn from outside AMA and INA boundaries can be restricted in terms of its transportation between groundwater basins but is generally subject only to the requirement for reasonable and beneficial use. A.R.S. § 45-453. Community water systems outside of AMAs and INAs have the additional requirement to submit annual water use reports to ADWR.

The Arizona State Supreme Court has ruled that landowners do not own the groundwater beneath their property, but rather have the right to withdraw those waters. The Court stated in Town of Chino Valley vs City of Prescott, In the absolute sense, there can be no ownership in seeping and percolating waters until they are reduced to actual possession and control by the person claiming them because of their migratory character. Like wild animals free to roam as they please, they are the property of no one.

Outside of the AMAs and INAs, ADWR has no statutory authority to regulate the impact of one landowner’s pumping on their neighbor’s unless groundwater is being transferred between basins or sub- basins. ADWR can investigate and inspect wells to ensure that they are properly constructed and that the associated well records are accurate A.R.S. § 45-633(A).

Non-exempt wells drilled within any of the five AMAs require a groundwater withdrawal authority to be issued a drill card. Some examples of a groundwater withdrawal authority include:

Service Area Right

• Ex: City of Phoenix, City of Tucson, City of Prescott

Irrigation Grandfathered Right

• Used for irrigation. The right to be irrigated stays with the land, rather than with the owner.

Non-Irrigation Grandfathered Right

• Type 1: Used for non-irrigation. Examples include dairy farms and golf courses. This right stays with the land.
• Type 2: This right is the same as a Type 1, but it stays with the owner. It can be used anywhere in the AMA it was issued and can also be bought and sold. There are a limited number of Type 2 Rights.

General Industrial Use Permit

Groundwater rights can be viewed using this map. For more information about Groundwater Withdrawal Authorities please contact the AMA section at 602-771-8585.

This is a permit issued to withdraw groundwater in an AMA for a specific use that is authorized under A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 2, Article 7. Authorized groundwater uses that require groundwater withdrawal permits include dewatering, temporary dewatering, emergency temporary dewatering, mineral extraction and metallurgical processing, general industrial use, poor quality groundwater, drainage water withdrawal, temporary electrical generation and hydrologic testing.

Upon receipt of an application to drill a new non-exempt well within an AMA, a hydrologic study (impact analysis) will be conducted by hydrology staff to confirm it meets well spacing and well impact rules pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-598(A).

Cement mixed with no more than 50% sand by volume and containing no more than six gallons of water per 94 lb. sack of cement. A.A.C. R12-15-801(15).