The Arizona Water Banking Authority (AWBA) was established in 1996 to increase utilization of the state’s Colorado River entitlement and develop long-term storage credits for the state. Arizona was not using its full 2.8 million acre feet (maf) share of Colorado River water and would not be using its full allocation until the year 2030. The accumulated amount of water left in the Colorado River would have amounted to approximately 14 million acre feet. The AWBA ensured Arizona’s capability to secure the dependable water supplies necessary for the state's long-term prosperity by banking this excess water, as long as it is available.
Each year, the AWBA pays the delivery and storage costs to bring Colorado River water into central and southern Arizona through the Central Arizona Project canal. The water is stored underground in existing aquifers (direct recharge) or is used by irrigation districts in lieu of pumping groundwater (indirect or in-lieu recharge). For each acre-foot stored, the AWBA accrues credit that can be redeemed in the future when Arizona’s communities or neighboring states need backup water supplies.
The Water Banking Authority’s responsibilities include
1. Assuring adequate supply to municipal and industrial users in times of shortages or disruptions of the CAP system;
2. Meeting the management plan objectives of the Arizona Groundwater Act;
3. Exchanging water to assist Colorado River communities;
4. Assisting in the settlement of Indian water rights claims.
In 2005, the Arizona Legislature created the Indian Firming Study Commission to develop recommendations for meeting the State's obligation under the Arizona Water Settlements Act. In 2006, the AWBA was given the authority to fulfill the State's firming obligation and subsequently entered into an agreement with the Secretary of the Interior that defines that obligation and also allows the AWBA to enter into separate agreements with Indian communities to develop firming plans.
The AWBA is also authorized to act on Arizona's behalf to enter into interstate banking agreements. In 2005, the AWBA began storing water for Nevada pursuant to the Amended Agreement for Interstate Water Banking.
To date (Dec.2009) the bank has stored 3.6 million acre feet of water for the future.
Authority: A division of ADWR, the AWBA is managed by an appointed board, with the Director of ADWR acting as Chair. Its projects are developed in partnership with the CAWCD.
Website: www.AzWaterBank.gov