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ADWR Dictionary

ADWR Dictionary

ADWR Dictionary

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Earth Fissures

Earth fissures are fractures or cracks that form in alluvial basins due to substantial groundwater overdrafts that produce local subsidence (Holzer, 1976; Jachens and Holzer, 1979; Larson and Péwé, 1986).

Effluent

Water that has been collected in a sanitary sewer for subsequent treatment in a facility that is regulated as a sewage system, disposal plant or wastewater treatment facility. Such water remains effluent until it acquires the characteristics of groundwater or surface water.

Effluent dependent water

Surface waters that would generally be ephemeral, except for the discharge of treated effluent. 

Environmental well

A well normally associated with a contamination site investigation or remedial action. Environmental wells include air sparging wells, biosparging wells, vapor extraction wells, free product recovery wells, vadose zone wells and wells involving other types of remediation. Environmental wells are permanent installations, as opposed to geotechnical or exploration boreholes that are drilled to obtain samples or information, and then immediately abandoned

Ephemeral stream

A stream or part of a stream that flows only in direct response to precipitation; it receives little or no water from springs, melting snow or other sources; its channel is at all times above the water table

Evaporation pan

An open tank used to measure the amount of evaporation. The U.S. Department of Commerce Weather Station Class A pan is 4 feet in diameter and 10 inches deep, set so the top rim is 16 inches above ground

Evapotranspiration

Loss of water from the land through transpiration of plants and evaporation from the soil and surface water bodies. 

Exempt well

 Within an AMA, a well having a pump with a maximum pumping capacity of 35 gallons per minute or less, used to withdraw groundwater for non-irrigation purposes. This term is also used to describe any well outside an AMA having a pump with a maximum pumping capacity of 35 gallons per minute or less

Existing Individual User

Individual user that was receiving water from a municipal provider as of the date the 4MP was adopted.

Existing large municipal provider

Large municipal provider that was in operation and was serving water on or before the date of adoption of the 4MP. 

Exploration well

A well drilled in search of geophysical, mineralogical or geotechnical data. A.A.C. R12-15-801(13). 

Exterior water use

Non-residential or residential uses of water for landscaping, pools, evaporative cooling systems, decorative fountains and other outdoor uses of water.

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Arizona Department of Water Resources
1110 W Washington Street Suite 310
Phoenix, AZ 85007
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Phone: 602.771.8500 | Fax: 602.771.8689
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