A water terminology guide to enhance understanding of this essential resource!
The water world is complex, diverse, and rich in terminology, which can confuse anyone who isn’t immersed in it regularly. When discussing anything about water—such as water quality, sources and supplies, management and policies, and the delivery and quality of your water—you’ll likely encounter acronyms and terms that sound unfamiliar in everyday conversations. So, we’re here to help translate.
The AMWUA Water Glossary offers clear definitions of commonly used water terms, allowing everyone to better understand and participate in discussions about water in Arizona.
Here are a few examples of how the AMWUA Water Glossary is helpful:
WATER SOURCES
It’s important to understand that each AMWUA city has a unique and diverse water portfolio, which consists of various water sources and management strategies. This approach is essential for effectively serving both residents and commercial customers. By utilizing multiple water sources, these communities can ensure a more robust and reliable water supply. Additionally, this strategy supports the Valley’s economy by promoting a more sustainable lifestyle for everyone living in the desert.
Arizona has four critical sources of water:
- Surface Water: Waters that are generally found in springs, streams, rivers, lakes and ponds, in natural channels above ground. The Salt and Verde Rivers serve the AMWUA cities through the Salt River Project.
- Colorado River Water: Water from the main stem of the Colorado River. Arizona shares the Colorado River with California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and Mexico. This surface water is regulated by the Federal Government.
- Groundwater: Water under the earth’s surface that fills the pore spaces between soil particles and fractured rock.
- Recycled Water: Water sent down the drain that is treated to a very high quality to extend and expand its reuse. The term is used to convey the value of this water as an essential supply. Advanced Water Purification (AWP) is an advanced technology and process used to treat and purify recycled water to drinking water standards.
WATER MEASUREMENTS
Understanding water news or reports can be challenging, given the different measurements used. For example, we have feet, kilometers, and miles for distance, and water is also measured by varying units depending on the context.
- Acre-foot: A water quantity measurement equal to 325,851 gallons (enough to cover one acre of land in water one foot deep).In Arizona, this is typically enough water for three single-family homes during a year.
- Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCD):The average quantity of water each person uses in one day. ADWR sets GPCD targets for water providers in the five AMAs.
WATER AGENCIES
Agencies regulate all aspects of water in Arizona, but they are often referred to only by their acronyms.
- ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality): The state agency responsible for oversight, regulation, and enforcement of Arizona’s water quality regulations. ADEQ regulates groundwater, surface water, and recycled water.
- ADWR (Arizona Dept of Water Resources): The state agency, created in 1980 by the Groundwater Management Act, designated to implement the State’s water laws. ADWR oversees Arizona’s water supplies and supports statewide and local water planning efforts.
- Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA): WIFA is a State Agency that provides financing assistance for the construction, rehabilitation, and/or improvement of drinking water, wastewater, wastewater reclamation, and other water infrastructure projects. In 2022, the Legislature greatly expanded WIFA’s authority to include augmentation and appropriated over $1 billion to the agency.
WATER POLICIES AND LAWS
In Arizona, we hear important acronyms for laws, policies, and programs that have been put in place to regulate and manage water across the State and beyond.
- Assured Water Supply Program (AWS): A set of consumer protection regulations that apply within the five AMAs based on the principle of “water first, then development.” Before a developer can sell subdivision lots, they must meet the Assured Water Supply criteria, including having access to enough water to last 100 years. The AWS Program is the basis for Arizona’s long-term sustainable growth.
- Groundwater Management Act (GMA): Enacted by the Legislature in 1980 to address the State’s problem of groundwater depletion.
We recognize that the world of water is far from simple, so we suggest keeping our glossary handy for your next conversation about water, which we hope occurs frequently. After all, water is essential to our collective long-term sustainability and ongoing prosperity here in Arizona.
As we continue to explore water-related topics each week with our AMWUA Blog, we encourage you to subscribe to learn more about critical water issues, local water management strategies, water innovation projects, and conservation efforts.
Water – Use It Wisely is pleased to highlight guest bloggers or repost blogs that we believe will offer valuable topics on water conservation for our audience. For 55 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities’ ability to provide their communities with assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .