Bill to end “use it or lose it” water policy sailing through Legislature
The Colorado River, just south of the Hoover Dam/Pinal Partnership
A bill to remove an outdated “use it or lose it” policy in state water law is sailing through both houses at the Legislature, a sign that progress is inching forward as Arizona prepares for a drier future.
Meanwhile, a slate of other measures to address dwindling water supplies is seeing little traction.
One bill that is receiving strong support from state lawmakers is HB 2675. The measure would repair a quirk in current law that acts as a “disincentive” to conserve water, proponents said.
Current state forfeiture law provides that a water right may be lost after five years of non-use.
