groundwater permits; technical correction

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Tim Dunn

Allows non-irrigation withdrawals of poor-quality groundwater with no current beneficial use, under up to 35-year permits, subject to plan alignment and ongoing monitoring.

Senate First Reading

Summary of SB 1514 (57th-2nd Regular Session, Arizona)

Purpose and intent

SB 1514 seeks to establish and regulate a specific type of groundwater withdrawal permit for non-irrigation users to withdraw poor quality groundwater. The bill sets criteria for when such permits may be issued, their duration, and ongoing oversight to ensure the withdrawal remains consistent with the state groundwater management plan. The aim is to address use of groundwater that is of poor quality (and thus not suitable for most beneficial uses) by allowing limited withdrawal where no other beneficial use exists at the present time.

Key provisions and changes

Eligibility and purpose (Section A):

The director may issue a permit to a non-irrigation user to withdraw poor quality groundwater.
Eligibility requires that the groundwater’s poor quality has no other beneficial use at the present time.
The withdrawal must be consistent with the groundwater management plan for the area.

Permit duration (Section B):

Permits may be issued for up to 35 years.
The director determines the specific duration based on the estimated life of the groundwater source with poor quality.

Monitoring and termination (Section C):

The director must monitor withdrawals under the poor quality groundwater withdrawal permit.
The permit must be terminated if the conditions in Section A (the absence of any present beneficial use and alignment with the management plan) cease to apply.

Who is affected

Non-irrigation users seeking to withdraw poorly conditioned groundwater may be eligible for permits under this provision.

Groundwater regulators and the director are responsible for:

Assessing eligibility and consistency with the management plan.
Setting permit duration tied to the groundwater source’s estimated life.
Monitoring withdrawals and terminating permits if circumstances change.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Issuance and duration:

Permits can be issued for up to 35 years, with the exact length determined by the director based on the expected life of the poor quality groundwater source.

Ongoing oversight:

Active monitoring of withdrawals is required.
Termination is triggered if the core conditions — lack of any present beneficial use and alignment with the management plan — no longer hold.

Practical implications

Provides a formal pathway for utilizing poor quality groundwater where no alternative useful use exists, potentially enabling financial or industrial activity where otherwise the resource would be off-limits.

Places emphasis on alignment with existing groundwater management plans and requires continuous oversight to ensure continued justification for the withdrawal.

The long-duration permits (up to 35 years) reflect a recognition of the extended timescales involved in groundwater resources and their management.

Note: The action history indicates a Senate First Reading on 2026-06-12, and the sponsor includes a co-sponsor, Tim Dunn.