What Is the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District

The 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act (AGMA) requires replenishment of all groundwater provided to subdivided properties after 1996. Generally, all subdivisions with more than six parcels are subject to this requirement; most commercial properties, unless included within a larger subdivision, are excluded from this requirement.

Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) was established in 1993 by the state legislature to serve as a groundwater replenishment entity for its members. It provides a method for property owners and water providers to demonstrate a 100-year assured water supply under Arizona law by agreeing to have the CAGRD recharge the groundwater supply per the limits established by the assured water supply program.

How Is CAGRD Paid

Buckeye water customers are enrolled in CAGRD and are required to pay an assessment based on water usage along with an annual membership fee. Each year, Buckeye is required by law to submit a report to CAGRD. This report shows how much groundwater the municipal provider delivered to each customer’s parcel. The assessment, less any groundwater allowance (defined below), is included as part of the parcel’s annual property tax bill from Maricopa County.

Buckeye does not determine CAGRD rates or membership dues. To view current CAGRD rates, visit CAGRD's website.

What Is a Groundwater Allowance

Each subdivision is granted a Groundwater Allowance by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), reflecting percentage of water delivered to the customer that does not need to be replenished. The groundwater allowance is calculated and allocated based on when the development enrolled with CAGRD:

• If developed prior to 1996, there is no groundwater replenishment requirement
• If developed between 1996 and 2003, credits are applied at 100 percent
• If developed after 2003, the credits are applied at a fixed rate of 33 percent

Once the Groundwater Allowance is used up, each property owner must replenish 100% of the pumped groundwater for their parcel. This will increase your CAGRD assessment even if your usage is similar to previous years.