What entity generally regulates water rights in Arizona?

The regulation of water rights in Arizona is primarily overseen by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. This department is responsible for managing the state’s water supply, including the allocation and administration of water rights in accordance with state laws. The Arizona Department of Water Resources plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable water management practices, addressing issues such as groundwater replenishment, surface water rights, and conservation efforts.

The Arizona State Legislature, while it does pass laws that govern water rights, does not directly regulate or manage those rights. Likewise, the Arizona Department of Transportation focuses on transportation-related matters, not water management. The Arizona Environmental Protection Agency is not a recognized entity; the state's environmental regulation is part of the broader framework at the Department of Environmental Quality, which also has distinct functions separate from water rights management. Thus, the most appropriate entity that regulates water rights in Arizona is indeed the Arizona Department of Water Resources.