ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SB 1508: water; desalination action plan
PRIME SPONSOR: Senator Griffin, LD 14 BILL STATUS: Caucus & COW EENR: DP 9-0-0-1

Abstract

Relating to a desalination action plan.

Provisions

1. Instructs the ADWR Director to prepare a desalination action plan that includes:

a. an identification of:

i. areas with significant amounts of brackish groundwater;

ii. areas that may benefit from treated brackish groundwater; and

iii. potential funding sources for the treatment and delivery of the brackish groundwater.

b. a cost estimate to treat and deliver brackish groundwater for an economically viable use;

c. an evaluation of the feasibility and cost of the disposal of the brine byproduct; and

d. an evaluation and analysis of issues related to the sources of brackish groundwater, including potential impacts to the water users in the area. (Sec. 1)

2. Permits the plan to identify and evaluation potential binational agreements or projects to treat brackish groundwater or sea water. (Sec. 1)

3. Requires the ADWR Director to include an analysis and evaluation of the following on determination that there is significant brackish water underground in a county adjacent to the Colorado River:

a. source of the underground water;

b. whether the water is being used; and

c. the purpose for which the water is being used, if applicable.

i. Prohibits the ADWR Director from addressing the water in the plan on the conclusion that the likely source of the water is Colorado River water. (Sec. 1)

4. Declares any conclusion relating to the source of the water made by the ADWR Director is not binding for any purpose and does not create a presumption of the legal character of the water in any administrative or judicial proceeding. (Sec. 1)

5. Requires submission of the plan to the Governor and the Legislature by September 30, 2019, with an update on the plan and its results every two years. (Sec. 1)

6. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

Additional Information

The terms desalination or desalting mean the use of any process or technique for the removal and, when feasible, adaptation to beneficial use, of organic and inorganic elements and compounds from saline or biologically impaired waters, by itself or in conjunction with other processes. Saline water means sea water, brackish water and other mineralized or chemically impaired water (U.S.C. § 42- 10301).

The GWAC was established through Executive Order 2015-13. In 2016, GWAC formed the Desalination Committee to explore opportunities for in-state desalination with a focus on brackish groundwater and effluent supplies (GWAC).

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Fifty-third Legislature                  SB 1508

Second Regular Session                               Version 2: Caucus & COW

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