The Arizona Water Banking Authority coordinates with ADWR and CAWCD, working cooperatively to ensure recovery implementation is achievable when needed.
The Arizona Water Banking Authority (AWBA; Water Bank) was established in 1996 to store the unused portion of Arizona’s annual Colorado River entitlement in Central and Southern Arizona. The AWBA stores water in underground aquifers to earn long-term storage credits. These credits can be recovered (pumped) during a shortage to provide back-up water supplies (known as "firming") for Arizona water users.
Through 2020, the Water Bank has accrued 4.36 million acre-feet (MAF) of long-term storage credits (LTSCs): 3.75 MAF for Arizona uses and 613 KAF on behalf of the State of Nevada. The AWBA firms water supplies for Central Arizona Project (CAP) Municipal and Industrial (M&I) subcontract holders and communities along the Colorado River. As the agent for the State, the AWBA is responsible for meeting the State's Tribal firming obligations under the Arizona Water Settlements Act of 2004 (AWSA). The Water Bank also assists with meeting the State's water management objectives under the Groundwater Code and provides the mechanism for interstate water banking with the other Lower Basin States. By storing water, the Water Bank helps to ensure long-term water supplies for Arizona and neighboring states.
Announcements
2022 Tier One Shortage
The U.S. Secretary of the Interior has declared the first-ever Tier 1 shortage for Colorado River operations in 2022. This Tier 1 shortage will result in a substantial cut to Arizona’s share of the Colorado River – about 30% of Central Arizona Project’s normal supply; nearly 18% of Arizona’s total Colorado River supply.
2021 Joint Recovery Planning Update
The 2021 Joint Update is a collaborative effort among the AWBA, ADWR, CAP, RPAG and stakeholders to advance recovery planning. This Joint Update builds on previous planning efforts in the 2014 Plan, further discusses Independent Recovery concepts intended to increase flexibility and fully utilize existing infrastructure, includes an analysis of recovery capacity requirements focused on impacts to direct uses, and identifies future activities and commitments.
2020 Annual Report
In 2020, the AWBA recharged approximately 60,000 acre-feet in the Phoenix, Pinal and Tucson Active Management Areas, purchased 27,080 acre-feet of LTSCs and 6,390 AF of Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS) credits under its agreement with the Gila River Indian Community. Cumulatively, the AWBA has accrued or acquired 4.36 million acre-feet (MAF) of LTSCs, 3.75 MAF are for Arizona uses and 0.61 MAF are interstate credits stored on behalf of the State of Nevada.
Topics
Interactive Map
This interactive GIS map allows you to view AWBA credits at each storage facility and download the full data into excel.
Water Bank Timeline
The Water Bank was created in 1996 to store the unused portion of Arizona's Colorado River entitlement.
