- Wyoming lawmakers advanced a bill requiring regular groundwater studies in designated control areas.
- The studies will evaluate water use and recharge to help guide residential lot sizes.
- Results must be made public and reported to legislators.
- The Legislature set aside $250,000 to fund the first study.
- The law is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
Monday, January 26, 2026 — Wyoming Senate File 50 directs the State Engineer to conduct groundwater studies in counties where a groundwater control area has been designated by the Wyoming Board of Control. Control areas are locations where groundwater use is already considered stressed or closely managed under state law.
Under the bill
, the State Engineer must complete a groundwater study in each affected county at least once every ten years. The purpose is to examine how water is being consumed across the area and whether additional controls may be needed to ensure that groundwater supplies can recharge over time.
The legislation allows the studies to include mapping and drilling test wells, if necessary. It also gives the State Engineer discretion to conduct similar studies in counties without a designated control area when conditions warrant closer review.
Focus on Water Use and Recharge.
The bill emphasizes understanding how total land area and development patterns influence groundwater consumption. Lawmakers tied the studies to recommended residential lot sizes, reflecting ongoing concerns that large numbers of small lots relying on individual wells can strain local aquifers.
By measuring consumption and recharge together, the studies aim to provide a clearer picture of whether current groundwater use is sustainable and what management steps may be required to protect long-term supplies.
Public Reporting Requirements.
Transparency is a central feature of the bill. Once a study is completed, the State Engineer must make the results public. In addition, the findings must be reported to the Legislature’s Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee within 15 days of completion.
This reporting requirement is designed to ensure that lawmakers receive timely information as they consider future water policy, land use decisions, and potential changes to groundwater regulation.
Funding and Timeline.
The Legislature appropriated $250,000 from the state’s general fund to the State Engineer’s Office to carry out the initial study. According to the fiscal note, the funds are expected to cover one comprehensive groundwater study in a specific control area where some existing data and modeling already exist.
The appropriation is limited in scope. It may only be used for this study, cannot be transferred for other purposes, and any unspent funds must revert to the state by June 30, 2028. Lawmakers also specified that this funding should not be folded into the State Engineer’s regular budget for the next biennium.
The first required study must be completed by June 30, 2028. The law itself is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a groundwater control area?
A groundwater control area is a region designated by the Wyoming Board of Control where groundwater use is closely monitored or regulated due to concerns about depletion or interference with existing water rights.
Who is responsible for conducting the studies?
The Wyoming State Engineer is responsible for conducting or overseeing the groundwater studies required by the bill.
How often will these studies be done?
The bill requires a groundwater study at least once every ten years in each county that has a designated control area.
Will the public be able to see the results?
Yes. The State Engineer must make the results of each study public and report them to a legislative interim committee.
Does the bill change water rights or well permitting rules?
The bill itself does not change existing water rights or permitting laws. It focuses on gathering data that could inform future policy decisions.
When does the law take effect?
If enacted, the law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
