Legislation Promoting Agricultural Water Conservation Passes Senate Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Legislation Promoting Agricultural Water Conservation Passes Senate Committee  

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Tim Dunn is working to promote water conservation and efficient farming practices by advancing legislation to support Arizona farmers with resources to install on-farm irrigation efficiency systems.

The On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Pilot Program and fund were established by the Legislature in 2022 to provide grants and collect data for on-farm irrigation efficiency systems in order to reduce on-farm use of groundwater and surface water. SB 1448, sponsored by Senator Dunn, provides additional resources for farmers to upgrade their irrigation systems and decrease their reliance on outdated flood irrigation methods.  If adopted, SB 1448 would allocate $10 million from the state's general fund to the on-farm irrigation efficiency fund and award grants to farmers who qualify for the program. Irrigation efficiency systems are designed to ensure that water is delivered in a more controlled, efficient manner, preserving Arizona's vital water resources. SB 1448 passed unanimously through the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.

"Through the use of on-farm irrigation efficiency systems, we've been able to conserve more water than the annual use of the entire population of Scottsdale, which serves more than 297,000 people. We've done so in the most cost-effective way possible, getting the best 'bang for your buck' in terms of water conservation," said Ethan Orr, Executive Director of the Natural Resource Users Law and Policy Center. "This is just the beginning for forward progress, and I look forward to the ongoing partnership with farmers to save as much water as possible for the state of Arizona."

"As a farmer myself, I understand the challenges our agricultural community faces when it comes to water conservation," said Senator Dunn. "This bill is my direct commitment to partnering with farmers across Arizona to provide the tools and resources they need to efficiently manage water use on their farms. Our goal is to help farmers upgrade their irrigation systems, while keeping costs manageable, to ensure a sustainable future for Arizona's generational farmland for years to come."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov