ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

House: NREW DPA/SE 10-0-0-0

HB 2217: water protection; technical correction

S/E: appropriation; brackish groundwater studies

Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 19

Caucus & COW

Summary of the Strike-Everything Amendment to HB 2217

Overview

Appropriates $50,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) in fiscal year (FY) 2024 to review and update studies on brackish groundwater in Arizona.

History

Brackish groundwater is groundwater with concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) of 1,000 to 10,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L). As background, TDS measures the combined content of all contaminants contained in drinking water. It is often considered a salinity measure because it captures the presence of dissolved inorganic salts like sodium, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, sulfates and bicarbonates. TDS levels are addressed under the National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. § 300g-1). These regulations are not mandatory but serve as guidelines to help public water systems manage drinking water for aesthetic, cosmetic and technical considerations (40 Code of Federal Regulations § 143.1). The secondary maximum contaminant level for TDS is 500 mg/L (40 Code of Federal Regulations § 143.3). The cost of treating brackish groundwater to this level is a function of a facility's operating costs and capital costs but is estimated to be about $1,000 per acre-foot.

There have been several studies of brackish groundwater in Arizona. For example, a 2008 Montgomery & Associates study identified six areas that could provide up to 10,000 acre-feet of brackish groundwater for at least 30 years. However, this study noted several gaps in available information, including how pumping would impact the quality and quantity of the underlying groundwater and the concentrations of other constituents that would impact the cost-effectiveness of treatment.

Provisions

1.   Appropriates $50,000 from the state General Fund in FY 2024 to ADWR to review and update information contained in studies on the availability of brackish groundwater in Arizona. (Sec. 1)

2.   Exempts this appropriation from lapsing.☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note (Sec. 1)

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6.                     HB 2217

7.   Initials PAB           Page 0 Caucus & COW

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