The Arizona Water Banking Authority (AWBA; Water Bank) was established in 1996 to increase utilization of the state’s Colorado River entitlement and develop long-term storage credits for the state. AWBA stores or “banks” unused Colorado river water to be used in times of shortage to firm (or secure) water supplies for Arizona. These water supplies help to benefit municipal and industrial users and communities along the Colorado River, fulfill the water management objectives of the state, store water for use as part of water rights settlement agreements among Indian communities, and assist Nevada and California through interstate water banking. Through these mechanisms, the AWBA aids in ensuring long-term water supplies for Arizona.

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 this backup water supply.

Next Quarterly Meeting:  The next quarterly meeting of the Arizona Water Banking Authority Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 10:00 am. Meetings

The AWBA has released the 2010 Annual Plan of Operation.

The AWBA Commission members have transmitted a position statement letter to the Governor and legislative leadership discussing impacts of legislative transfers on the AWBA.

Senate Bill 1356 has been introduced by Senator Steve Pierce on behalf of the AWBA to clarify our authority to store excess CAP water from special pools created by the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (Fact Sheet-revised 12/16/09).