Ground water supply as a criterion for subdivision approval : the administration of Arizona revised statute 45-513

Passage of Arizona Revised Statute 45-513 in May 1973 required the Arizona Water Commission to evaluate and determine the adequacy of the water supply of proposed subdivisions. The majority of new subdivisions in Arizona utilize ground water as a source of supply. The adequacy of a development's water supply is determined according to four types of criteria. The water supply must be adequate in quantity, quality, and dependability; in addition, a valid legal right to use the water must exist. An analysis of the administration of the statute reveals that the Arizona Water Commission's requirements for compliance with the law are an effective regulatory process for large developments with less than adequate water supplies. Since the law is only advisory, the effects of the Commission's decisions on the consumer are more limited. In addition, information generated by the Commission is often not considered by the counties during local subdivision approval. A prerequisite to the successful application of Commission decisions is the adoption of rules and regulations by Arizona counties to allow for the consideration of the adequacy of the water supply during the subdivision approval process.hydrology collectio