SB 1221 Rural Groundwater Management Bill needs revisions

SB 1221 Rural Groundwater Management Bill needs revisions to provide for residential water when groundwater is too deep for our wells. I fear individual homeowners will be left high and dry while the law protects business interests. I need to see a proposal that makes sure that individual residences will have access to water alternatives when the large conglomerates draw down the water so far that private individual wells can't reach it anymore. This is already happening. Rural residents need access to community water systems. The big users of water should be required to pay for the infrastructure to make sure that private residents can still have water while businesses accelerate the loss of the water table. As a property owner in Cochise county I am worried that you are going to give away my access to groundwater. The present rate of water usage is unsustainable. I doubt a 2% reduction is sufficient to ensure the future of human occupation in Cochise county. Instead I think the bill is overcomplicated to make sure that nothing gets done. The proposed groundwater bill, despite its noble intentions, presents complexities that may hinder the establishment of effective rural groundwater management basins. The unanimous approval requirement from county boards and the Arizona Department of Water Resources director could potentially stall progress. While the bill's aim to reduce water use by up to 2% annually and allocate $40 million for water conservation programs is commendable, it is crucial to ensure that these measures truly serve rural communities and protect residents' water rights. Therefore, it is requested that the bill be revised to simplify procedures and ensure effective water management. The focus should be on finding a compromise that prioritizes the needs of rural residents and safeguards our water supplies, rather than on political considerations.