Although Pinal County is not in the utility business as a water provider – in fact, the County is prohibited from doing so – there are several policies and practices that demonstrate the county leaders’ stewardship of the environment where water is concerned.

• Pinal County is looking at water conservation technologies and applications at the residential and commercial level through the Zoning Code update and the Comprehensive Plan.
• The County vigorously encourages the reuse and recharge of effluent or “gray water” for lakes, fountains and golf courses.
• The County is taking a leadership role in conjunction with the Central Arizona Association of Governments (CAAG) to develop a comprehensive approach to administering the EPA and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Quality Assurance Management Plan.
• The County also works closely with CAAG to address issues related to its three Active Management Areas.
• There are three AMAs adjacent to or in Pinal County (Phoenix, Tucson and Pinal). The Phoenix and Tucson AMAs have a goal of “safe yield” by 2025. The Pinal AMA has two objectives – to preserve the agricultural economies for as long as feasible and preserving future water supplies for municipal and industrial uses.
• The Board of Supervisors has a representative on the Pinal AMA Groundwater Users Advisory Council.
• New rules on Assured Water Supply require replenishment of excess water drawn (beyond the allowable volume) by a user or municipality. The replenishment must be from non-groundwater sources.