State Conservation Requirements

As we are all aware, Arizona is an arid state. The Phoenix area averages only about 7 inches of rainfall each year. Even less rain falls each year in the communities we serve along the Colorado River. For this reason, we all must do our part to conserve our precious water resources.

Much of the water we use to drink, bathe and water our plants comes from underground aquifers. These aquifers are replenished naturally when rain water soaks into the ground. But, with only 7 inches of rain per year, it would take a very long time to replenish the aquifer. To address this concern, the State of Arizona enacted the Groundwater Management Act (GMA) to protect dwindling groundwater resources.

The GMA established Active Management Areas (AMAs) to regulate groundwater pumping in areas with the most severe potential for excessive pumping and groundwater depletion. There are currently 5 AMAs in Arizona, they are:

• Phoenix AMA
• Tucson AMA
• Prescott AMA
• Pinal AMA
• Santa Cruz AMA

The State Legislature has defined a water management goal for each AMA. In the Phoenix AMA, the goal is called safe-yield. Safe-yield is a long-term balance between the amount of groundwater pumped out of the Phoenix AMA and the amount of water that is either naturally or artificially put back in to the aquifer. The goal for the Phoenix AMA is to reach safe-yield by the year 2025. The two tools available to the State to reach safe-yield are:

• Using renewable water supplies
• Managing water demand

Arizona has a demand management program that consists of three water conservation programs.

• Agricultural Water Conservation
• Industrial Water Conservation
• Municipal Water Conservation

The SAVEH20 conservation program was implemented by Arizona American Water to assist in managing water demand as part of the Municipal Water Conservation Program. Below are the water use goals outlined by the State for the Municipal Water Conservation Program for the areas served by Arizona American Water.

Water Conservation Requirements
Arizona-American Water Service Areas
2005 - 2009

*GPCD = Gallons per capita per day. This is the average number of gallons of water used daily by each person. You can help meet the water conservation goals by using water efficiently in your home or business.