The Colorado River, just south of the Hoover Dam/Pinal Partnership

MARK BRODIE: The Colorado River basin is taking a breather this year before ramping up negotiations again. But water is still a major subject at the Arizona Capitol. Lawmakers have proposed many water related bills that would have wide reaching effects. And here to give us a little rundown is KJZZ’s Bret Jaspers. Hey, Bret.

BRET JASPERS: Hey.

BRODIE: So let’s start with big wells meant for irrigating industrial farms. There’s more attention on this after an investigation in the Arizona Republic showed an increase in the number of wells for industrial farms in rural areas, also deeper wells. So what have lawmakers proposed to address that?

JASPERS: Big takeaway from that investigation was a reminder that people in rural areas don’t have to meter their wells. Some residents are seeing their wells run dry. And because there isn’t data on pumping, there isn’t much recourse. And so there are two bills to address this. One is from Republican John Kavanagh. He would like the State Department of Water Resources meter as well if the department deems it necessary.

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