Arizona Groundwater Management Act and Water Restrictions

ARS Title 45, Chapter 2 establishes Active Management Areas where the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) sets conservation goals through five-stage management plans. Cities and large water providers must meet per-capita gallon-per-day targets, and assured water supply rules require 100-year supplies for new subdivisions in AMAs. While municipalities can impose stricter local watering schedules, the statewide AMA framework is binding. Drought response declarations under ARS 45-2701 trigger mandatory conservation tiers regardless of city preference.

Subdivision approval may be denied without an Assured Water Supply designation; civil penalties for unauthorized groundwater pumping can reach thousands per violation.