Tucson to formally protest ADWR well permit for 'Project Blue' development

Tucson to formally protest ADWR well permit for 'Project Blue' developmentThe Tucson City Council has unanimously directed the city attorney to file a formal protest against a newly approved 96.5-acre-foot well permit, arguing the groundwater draw could threaten the municipal aquifer.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) recently approved a 31 million-gallon-per-year well permit for a company called Bobcat Tucson, connected to a development known as Project Blue.

Although the proposed well is outside Tucson Water's service area, city officials expressed concern that the extraction will adversely affect the shared aquifer.

The City Council unanimously voted to instruct the city attorney and Tucson Water's legal team to file a formal objection to the well's approval.

During a June 9 meeting, the Tucson City Council took decisive action to protect its groundwater resources by unanimously voting to protest a recently issued state well permit. Councilmember Cunningham raised the issue, noting that the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) had approved a 96.5-acre-foot well—equivalent to 31 million gallons a year—for a company identified as Bobcat Tucson. The permit is tied to a development referred to as Project Blue. While the exact location of the well is outside of Tucson Water's designated service area, Cunningham emphasized that groundwater is "too serious a discussion point" to ignore, warning that the extraction could adversely affect the aquifer that Tucson relies upon. In response, the City Manager confirmed that the city has legal standing to research and file objections against the well's approval. Acting on this advice, the council unanimously passed a motion instructing the city attorney and Tucson Water's legal counsel to formally protest the ADWR's decision. The city had previously maintained a policy of non-involvement with Project Blue, but the recent well approval prompted the council to actively intervene to protect the region's water supply.