In Arizona, state law governs artificial recharge (for more information, refer to the Arizona Department of Water Resources). The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) administers and regulates recharge and quantifies the amount of surface water stored underground. The ADWR regulates artificial recharge through an Underground Storage Facility (USF) permit process. By statute, there are two types of USF facilities: constructed and managed. A constructed facility requires the construction of infiltration structures (basins, furrows, ditches, etc), while a managed facility uses pre-existing natural channels for recharge.

Direct Recharge Facilities

In addition to direct recharge, the ADWR regulates a type of recharge termed Groundwater Savings Facilities (GSF). The GSF is a water exchange program where surface water is delivered to a water user traditionally reliant upon groundwater. The surface water delivery replaces the use of groundwater, so the groundwater is "saved" and thereby counted as recharge.

Groundwater Saving Facilities Recharge

In Arizona, any surface water may be recharged, so long as the appropriate permits are approved by ADWR. The potential sources of water for recharge include: Colorado River water delivered through the Central Arizona Project, non-CAP Colorado River, excess discharge from in-state rivers and streams, and treated effluent.