In Arizona, which department oversees the management of groundwater resources?

In Arizona, the Department of Water Resources is responsible for the management of groundwater resources. This department is tasked with implementing the state's groundwater laws, including those outlined in the Groundwater Management Act. Their role includes regulating the use of groundwater, ensuring sustainable water supply, and protecting both surface and groundwater resources.

The department conducts various functions, such as monitoring water levels, maintaining data about water use, and working with local agencies and stakeholders to develop water conservation programs. This is crucial in a state where water scarcity can be a significant concern, given its desert climate and growing population.

Other options do not directly oversee groundwater management in the same manner. While the Environmental Protection Agency focuses on environmental protection at a federal level and the Department of Environmental Quality deals with compliance and enforcement of environmental laws, their jurisdiction doesn’t specifically address groundwater resources in the way that the Department of Water Resources does. The Water Conservation Office, while important to promoting water conservation practices, does not possess the regulatory authority over groundwater management.