GOP lawmakers are pushing several bills to regulate Arizona’s groundwater, but none would do anything to conserve the state’s water supply. Democrats and Republicans got close to passing bipartisan legislation to conserve rural groundwater supplies over the last few years, but a final deal has never materialized. This year, GOP lawmakers are instead pushing a series of partisan water bills, including one that would protect the rights of Arizona residents and businesses to continue pumping groundwater. GOP lawmakers’ bills generally protect the water allocation rights of industries like agriculture and homebuilding. Conserving groundwater often means restricting development.

Other groundwater news around the West:

• SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): State to consider excluding “small pumpers” from groundwater regulations 
• California Water Boards: Report: Delta-Mendota Subbasin staff assessment executive summary