Committee approves $100,000 feasibility study for brackish groundwater sites; ADWR says technical and regulatory hurdles remain

Representative Gail Griffin (S22) introduced House Bill 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 from the state general fund for FY2027 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a feasibility study of potential brackish groundwater desalination project sites in specified basins.

David Fernandez (S21) of ADWR said the department is neutral but raised concerns: ADWR treats brackish groundwater as groundwater for Active Management Area modeling, the resource cannot be transported outside a basin, and feasibility would hinge on operations, maintenance costs and brine disposal. ADWR said the technical capacity exists in some cities but the proposed feasibility study would be a new type of work for the department and would likely be contracted out.

Committee members debated whether state resources should fund a study the private sector could pursue, while others argued a state-led feasibility assessment would prepare local governments and utilities for future projects. The committee reported a due-pass recommendation for HB2056 (vote reported as 5 ayes, 3 noes, 0 not voting).