Thursday, Jan 24 2013 12:55PM

Proposed legislation in Arizona may help free up funding for future water projects.

A new bill introduced by Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin would free up funding to help the state pay for future water projects, according to the Daily Courier.

The legislation would enable local governments and private organizations to establish "regional water augmentation authorities" designed to enhance water supplies and resources, the newspaper explains. If the bill passes and the state receives a $30 million fund appropriation Tobin is calling for, this would allow authorities to secure low-interest loans from the program to put toward rural water projects. Several groups, including the Northern Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, are in support of the legislation and recognize that water rights and supply will become a priority in the coming years. 

"This is developed after two years of study bringing all the water groups together," Tobin told the news source. "It's likely the most comprehensive water legislation since the (1980) Groundwater Act."

Several states, such as Colorado, are seeking out ways to ensure access to water system services does not dry up in the future. Other states, including Nevada and Utah, are considering water-sharing agreements to ensure the needs of both areas are met, although they are struggling to reach an accord on the terms of this proposal. 

For more information, check out this resource: The Daily Courier