SB15-224 Summary

• Exempts groundwater collection systems adjacent to building foundations from permit requirements in designated groundwater basins if the system does not penetrate a confining layer and the farthest collection point is no more than 10 feet from the foundation.

• Requires that removed groundwater be used only for collecting and removing groundwater from soils adjacent to the building's foundation, and be returned directly into the aquifer without being conveyed to a different drainage sub-basin or routed around other decreed water rights.

• Extends an analogous permitting exemption to groundwater collection systems outside of designated groundwater basins, with the same conditions but requiring water be returned directly into the stream system on the lot or subdivision from which it was pumped.

• Takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 5, 2015, if adjournment occurs May 6, 2015), or later if subject to successful referendum petition, with application to systems operating on or after the effective date.