Hydrology Experts & Arizona Water Users

After five years of litigation including the testimony of hydrology expert witnesses, finality may be in sight for three Camp Verde, AZ, area families battling Salt River Project over wells on their property.  In 2004, SRP filed suit against 11 Verde Valley water users for pumping well water they believe to be surface water, belonging to downstream water users.  Eight of the parties reached settlements with the Phoenix area water provider.

But three, the Kovacovich, Wiertezema and Jordan families, have fought on, arguing that what constitutes surface water and what constitutes groundwater should be determined as part of the statewide settlement of water rights and not as individual cases.  Last April, during a summary judgment hearing, in which all three asked Judge Eddward Ballinger to have their cases dismissed, the judge found probable cause to dismiss two of the cases, the Kovacovich's and the Wiertezema's.  However, he delayed final dismissal pending additional information.

Excerpted from verdenews.com.