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Active Management Areas & INAs

New Regulatory Program for Large Municipal Providers: Modified Non-Per Capita Conservation Program

The Modified Non-Per Capita Conservation Program (Modified NPCCP) became effective in May 2008 and is described in the Second Modification of the Third Management Plan. The Modified NPCCP is a performance-based program that requires participating providers to implement water conservation measures that result in water use efficiency in their service areas. All large municipal providers (cities, towns and private water companies serving more than 250 acre-feet per year) that do not have a Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) and that are not regulated as a large untreated water provider or an institutional provider are required to participate.

Providers must implement a Public Education Program and one or more additional Best Management Practices (BMPs) based on their total number of residential and non-residential water service connections.

  • Up to 5000 connections           -    1 BMP
  • 5001 – 30,000 connections     -    5 BMPs
  • 30,001 or more connections    -   10 BMPs

Transcripts of the public hearings, the summary of hearings and findings, the Orders of Adoption and the actual modification language, Click here

Substantive Policy Statement: Guidance Document for Large Providers Entering the Modified Non-Per Capita Conservation Program, Click here

January 20, 2009 Free Workshop for Providers, Click here

Best Management Practice Survey for Future Workshops, Click here

Modified NPCCP Frequently Asked Questions, Click here

List of Best Management Practices, Click here

Required Public Education Program and BMPs in the Modified NPCCP, Click here

Provider Profile Form, Click here

Conservation Efforts Report, Click here

Evaluation and Stakeholder Process Leading to the Modified Non-Per Capita Conservation Program:
Municipal Conservation Program - Third Management Plan Review

The Department is currently conducting an evaluation of the regulatory program for large municipal water providers contained in the Third Management Plan.  More»

A Summary of Water Conservation Programs in Active Management Areas

This summary is intended to serve as a resource for municipal water providers and other organizations wishing to begin or expand their water conservation programs. It contains information about conservation services, education programs, outreach, rate structures, incentive programs, ordinances, and more.

Purpose Of AMAs

The State’s Active Management Areas were established to provide long-term management and conservation of their limited groundwater supplies. In order to accomplish this the AMAs administer state laws, explore ways of augmenting water supplies to meet future needs, and routinely work to develop public policy in order to promote efficient use and an equitable allocation of available water supplies.

Evaluation of the Active Management Area Management Plans
Prepared by the Arizona Water Institute

More than half-way into the 45-year period for meeting the goals of the Arizona Groundwater Management Act (GMA), ADWR will be developing the fourth of five management plans for each of the Active Management Areas (AMAs), as mandated by the Act.

This report provides an examination of the intended functions/purposes of the management plans relative to legislative intent, an evaluation of the management plan provisions to date from the perspective of ADWR staff and the regulated community, an assessment of the effectiveness of the management plans in meeting their goals, and suggestions of what stakeholders would like to see in future management plans.

It concludes with several key recommendations based on the implications of the study results. This project will assist ADWR as it moves forward with the development of the Fourth Management Plans. This evaluation provides a foundation for change in the approach and content of the final two management plans.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the findings of this study relating to determining the effectiveness of the conservation programs and initiating long-term regional water planning, the authors offer the following recommendations:

1: ADWR should provide water use data for all sectors on at least an annual basis. These data must be reported in a consistent format over time and across AMAs.

2: State of the AMA reports should be produced on a yearly or biennial basis.

3: ADWR should shift its focus to long-term water planning, but still maintain the current conservation programs.

4: The Augmentation and Recharge Program and the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District rules need to be reviewed and updated to ensure fairness.

Click here to view the study. PDF

Detailed AMA Information Here

Use the links below for detailed description of 5 AMA's.

Prescott AMA
  • Over 485 sq. miles
  • Consists of 2 sub-basins
  • 3 MAF of groundwater in storage
  • 20,000 AF of Annual Use

Phoenix AMA

  • Over 5600 sq. miles
  • Consists of 7 sub-basins
  • 287,000 acres of farmland
  • Over 2 MAF of annual water use

Pinal AMA

  • Over 4,000 sq. milesConsists of 5 sub-basins
  • 260,000 acres of non-Indian farmland
  • Over 800,000 AF of annual non-Indian water use

Tucson AMA

  • Over 3,800 sq. miles
  • Consists of 2 sub-basins
  • Over 300,000 AF of annual water use

Santa Cruz AMA

  • Over 750 sq. miles
  • Consists of 1 sub-basin
  • Over 20,000 AF of annual water use

 

Irrigation Non-Expansion Area Facts

The 1980 Groundwater Management Act established two Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (INAs) - the Joseph City INA and the Douglas INA. Since the law was passed, the Harquahala area has also been designated an INA. When an area is designated as an INA, a restriction is placed on increasing the number of irrigated acres in the area.

In the Joseph City and Douglas INAs land that was legally irrigated at any time between January 1, 1975 and January 1,1980 may continue to be irrigated. In the Harquahala INA, the period establishing the right to irrigate is January 6, 1976 to January 6, 1981.

There is one exception. If the Director of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) finds that substantial capital investment was made for on-site irrigation facilities or improvement of land for irrigation use, that land may be irrigated. The investment must have been made during a specified period of time. In the Joseph City and Douglas INAs, the investment must have occurred during the twelve months before June 12, 1980. In the Harquahala INA any improvement made during the five year period preceding January 6, 1981 is considered.

All landowners in the INAs should be aware of several important requirements of the Groundwater Code.

Measuring Devices

All persons withdrawing groundwater from non-exempt wells within an INA must use a measuring device and measuring method to record water use. An exception is made for persons who withdrew 10 acre-feet or less for non-irrigation purposes only. A non-exempt well has a pump capacity over 35 gallons per minute or irrigates more than two acres.

Wells

The Code requires that all existing wells be registered with the Department of Water Resources. The fee for well registration is $10.

Prior to drilling a new well or deepening an existing well, a person must file a Notice of Intent to Drill with the Department. Forms are available from the Department and must be accompanied by a $10 filing fee. Authority to deepen an existing well or drill a new well will be valid for one year; after that a new Notice of Intent must be filed. A driller licensed by the Department must perform the work.

Annual Reports

The Groundwater Code requires that each person withdrawing groundwater from a non-exempt well in an INA must file an annual report of groundwater withdrawals by March 31 of each year. An annual report must be filed whether groundwater is withdrawn for irrigation or non-irrigation purposes. However, if no water is withdrawn during a particular calendar year, then it is not necessary to file an annual report for that year.

Change of Ownership

Each person who owns a well must notify the Department of Water Resources of any change in ownership of the well. Additionally, forms are available from the Department for changing ownership of a Notice of Irrigation Authority.

Municipal Conservation Program - Third Management Plan Review

The Department is currently conducting an evaluation of the regulatory program for large municipal water providers contained in the Third Management Plan.  More»

For More Information

Douglas INA inquiries and questions, contact the Tucson AMA:

 

Harquahala and Joseph City INA inquiries, contact the Phoenix AMA:

 

Last Updated: January 13, 2009 1:12 PM

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