Groundwater Recharge for Water Security

The Arizona Water Banking Authority (AWBA) was established in 1996 to make full use of Arizona’s Colorado River entitlement. It aims address groundwater depletion central and protect water users against future shortages due interannual variability availability. Each year, the AWBA pays costs deliver any state’s unused entitlement into southern store that underground. stores on behalf Central Project municipal subcontractors, other mainstream rights holders, tribal entities. Through its interstate banking agreements, can also states Nevada California. stored by is accounted for using statutorily created system long-term storage credits (LTSCs), which allow pumping within same hydrologic basin. During shortage conditions Lower Basin River, will distribute LTSCs, enabling recipients pump otherwise would not be permitted. In this way, serves as a unique insurance mechanism Basin. To date, AWBA’s focus has been storage, yet coming years, activities shift recovery, it need confront additional challenges associated with matching supplies demands limitations available recharge.