Which organization regulates groundwater in Arizona?

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is the primary agency responsible for regulating groundwater in Arizona. It oversees the management of the state's water resources, including monitoring usage, enforcing laws related to water conservation, and ensuring that groundwater supplies are used sustainably.

ADWR is crucial in implementing policies like the Groundwater Management Act, which aims to protect and supply groundwater to meet the needs of Arizona's growing population. The agency regulates both surface water and groundwater, focusing heavily on water rights, availability, and general water resource management.

Other organizations mentioned have important roles but do not specifically regulate groundwater in the same direct manner. For instance, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) primarily focuses on environmental quality and pollution control rather than directly managing water resources. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operates at the federal level concerning various environmental regulations, but groundwater management at the state level is under the purview of ADWR. The Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) is responsible for replenishing groundwater supplies in certain areas but is not a regulatory body for groundwater management.

Thus, ADWR stands out as the correct choice for regulating groundwater in Arizona.