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ADWR Dictionary

ADWR Dictionary

ADWR Dictionary

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Pan evaporation

Evaporation in inches from a standard Weather Bureau Class A pan

Peak flow gage

A mechanical device that measures the maximum instantaneous discharge of a stream or river at a given location. Peak flow usually occurs at the time of maximum stage.

Perennial stream

A stream or part of a stream with surface flow throughout the year, drying only during periods of drought.

Phreatophyte

A deep-rooted plant that obtains its water from a permanent groundwater supply.

Poor Quality Groundwater Withdrawal Permit

Poor quality groundwater withdrawal permits are permits issued pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-516 to non-irrigation users to withdraw poor quality groundwater if the director determines that the groundwater to be withdrawn because of its quality has no other beneficial use at the present time and that the withdrawal of such groundwater is consistent with the management plan.  A.R.S. § 45-516. 

Porosity

The amount of space between soil or rock particles where water can be stored.

Post-1984 Metal Mining Facility

Either: a) A large-scale metal mining and processing facility that does not qualify as a pre-1985 metal mining facility, including any expanded or modified portion of the facility, or b) Any expanded or modified portion of a pre-1985 metal mining facility if the expansion or modification includes one or more new tailings impoundments, new mill circuits, or new leaching facilities, and was not substantially commenced as of December 31, 1984.

Post-1991 Acres

A water-intensive landscaped area or a low water use landscaped area that was neither in existence nor was substantially commenced as of December 31, 1991.

Pre-1985 Acres

A water-intensive landscaped area or a low water use landscaped area that was either in existence or was substantially commenced as of December 31, 1984.

Pre-1985 metal mining facility

A large-scale metal mining and processing facility at which the mining and processing of metallic ores was occurring as of December 31, 1984, or that was substantially commenced as of December 31, 1984, and includes any expanded or modified portion of such a facility if the expansion or modification includes one or more new tailings impoundments, new mill concentrator circuits, or new wells, and was substantially commenced as of December 31, 1984.

Primary treatment

The first stage in wastewater treatment where some solids and organic material are removed by screening and sedimentation. It removes about 35% of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and less than half of the metals or toxic organic substances. 

Private water company (PWC)

Any entity which distributes or sells groundwater, except a political subdivision or an entity that is established as a special taxing district.  A city or town is not a private water company. In the Santa Cruz AMA, this definition is expanded to include water, other than stored water, withdrawn from a well.

Public utility

Any person, corporation, district, electric cooperative, public agency or political subdivision of the state that provides electrical service to the public by means of electric facilities or provides water for municipal, industrial, irrigation, recreation and fish and wildlife purposes to the public.

Public waters

Waters of all sources flowing in streams, canyons, ravines or other natural channels or in definite underground channels, whether perennial or intermittent, flood, waste or surplus water, and of lakes, ponds and springs on the surface.

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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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