[Dwopcert] ADWR System Water Plan Guidance Document workshops

[dwopcert@lists.azdeq.gov]

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Dear Interested Party:
In May 2005, the Arizona Legislature passed House Bill 2277, Water Supply Planning and Water Use Reporting for Community Water Systems in the State of Arizona. Pursuant to this legislation, all community water systems are required to submit a system water plan in January 2007 for systems serving more than 1,850 residents, or January 2008 for systems serving fewer than 1,850 residents. These plans must be updated and submitted to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (Department) every five years. In addition, all community water systems throughout Arizona are required to submit to the Department an annual water use report in April of each year. The first report is due in 2007 for water use in calendar year 2006.

The system water plan includes three elements: 1) a water supply plan; 2) a drought preparedness plan; and 3) a conservation plan. The water supply plan will describe water, service area, transmission facilities, monthly system production data, historic demand for the past five years, and projected demands for the next five, ten and twenty years. The drought preparedness plan will include drought and emergency response strategies, a plan of action to respond to water shortage conditions, and provisions to educate and inform the public. The water conservation plan will address measures to control lost and unaccounted for water, water rate structures that encourage efficient use of water, and public information and education programs on water conservation.

The water use reporting requirements include annual reporting of (estimates or metered): well registration numbers, number of customers served, and the storage facilities and capacities of the system. Providers who already are required to submit an annual report in an Active Management Area are exempt from the annual reporting requirements of this legislation.

To assist community water systems in developing system water plans and reporting annual water use, the Department has scheduled six workshops and is developing guidance documents. The System Water Plan Guidance Document will be available at the workshops and on our website at www.azwater.gov under Drought and Conservation Programs. If you would like to request a paper copy by mail, please contact Steve Sepnieski at (602) 771-8527 or smsepnieski@azwater.gov. The Department will accept comments on the System Water Plan Guidance Document until May 19, 2006.

Celebrating 25 Years
The Annual Water Use Report Guidance Document will be available for review and comment later in the year on our website. Please check the website periodically for additions and updates. If you would like to be added to our e-mail distribution list and notified when new information is available, please contact Melanie Ford, Drought Planner, at (602) 771-8442 or mlford@azwater.gov.

Workshops are scheduled in the following locations:

Tucson, April 12th, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Arizona Department of Water Resources
400 W. Congress, Suite 518
Yuma, April 18th, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Yuma City Hall
One City Plaza

Prescott, April 20th, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Prescott AMA Office
2200 E. Hillsdale Rd.

Show Low, April 24th, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Navajo County South County Road Yard
1100 E. Thornton Rd.

Bullhead City, April 27th, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Bullhead City Council Chambers
1255 Marina Blvd.

Page, May 2nd, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
697 Vista Ave.

Please RSVP to Melanie Ford at (602) 771-8442 or mlford@azwater.gov, and identify which date and meeting location you will be attending. Please note that if we do not have at least five people signed up to attend, the workshop will be cancelled. We can only notify and reschedule a meeting with those who have contacted us. Thank you for your understanding.

We look forward to working with you on water supply planning and water use reporting. Please contact Melanie Ford if you have any questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,
Susan Craig
State Drought Coordinator