The CAWCD Recharge Program – Meeting the Needs of Arizona’s Future Water Demands

The Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) is the operating agent of the Central Arizona Project canal system which delivers Colorado River water to a variety of customers in a three county area of central and southern Arizona, including the metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson.  In 2007, a record 1.67 million acre-feet (AF) was delivered to the three county area.
In 1990, the State passed legislation setting up an ad valorum tax (State Demonstration Recharge Fund) for CAWCD to develop and build large scale spreading basin recharge projects.  The fund was initially authorized because Arizona was not fully utilizing the 2.8 million AF appropriation of Colorado River water.  Since that time, the recharge program has grown to include storing excess water for Indian water right settlements, Interstate banking, meeting the obligations of the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD), and providing a water resource management tool for municipalities to meet there growing demand for water.  
To date, CAWCD operates six large scale surface spreading recharge projects with a total of over 400 acres of basins.  In Maricopa County there is:  Tonopah Desert Recharge Project (permitted for 150,000 AF/year), Hieroglyphic Mountains Recharge Project (permitted for 35,000 AF/year), and the Agua Fria Recharge Project (permitted for 100,000 AF/year).  In Pima County there is:  Avra Valley Recharge Project (permitted for 11,000 AF/year), Lower Santa Cruz Recharge Project (permitted for 50,000 AF/year), and Pima Mine Road Recharge Project (permitted for 30,000 AF/year).  In 2007, over 270,000 AF of Colorado River water was stored in the CAWCD recharge facilities for future use by customers including the Arizona Water Banking Authority, CAGRD, municipalities, local water companies, and mining companies..