Arizona GOP Legislators Push for Groundwater Infrastructure Overhaul

By Daniel Stefanski |

The Arizona Legislature is swiftly addressing the state’s groundwater challenges during the current 57th Regular Session. On Tuesday, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water approved House Concurrent Memorial 2003. This measure emphasizes the need for the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Arizona State Land Department to enhance groundwater recharge via infrastructure projects.

State Representative Gail Griffin, who sponsored the legislation, highlighted that local authorities, including county supervisors and flood control districts, possess the power to create stormwater detention basins that contribute to groundwater recharge. “Local officials must advocate for the development of these projects to bolster water supplies within their communities,” Griffin stated.

Griffin also pointed out a significant challenge: over 95 percent of rainfall in Arizona evaporates before replenishing aquifers. “Improving natural recharge by just a few percentage points could greatly enhance local water supplies,” she said. She views investment in groundwater-stormwater recharge as a pathway to economic growth in rural Arizona, urging collaborative efforts to utilize existing tools to secure vital water resources.

According to a press release from the Arizona House Republicans Caucus, successful initiatives like the Horseshoe Draw Recharge Project in Cochise County and the Hualapai Flood Control Project in Mohave County are proof that local supply increases can happen without expanding governmental control or imposing new regulations on rural sectors. State trust land has identified 331 suitable sites for enhancing groundwater recharge.

The Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system indicates mixed reactions to the bill. Support has come from groups such as the Arizona Farm and Ranch Group and the Audubon Society, while opposition includes organizations like the Sierra Club and CHISPA Arizona, underscoring the contentious nature of water legislation.

As the legislative session progresses, water issues remain a battleground between Republicans and Democrats in this divided state government. Governor Katie Hobbs has been resistant to adopting Republican approaches, having vetoed several bills aimed at strengthening Arizona’s water management strategies. With another month of legislative sessions ahead, the divide on water policy appears persistent.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.