In 1980, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) was created to secure long-term dependable water supplies for Arizona's communities. The Department: - administers and enforces Arizona’s groundwater code, and surface water rights laws (except those related to water quality); - negotiates with external political entities to protect Arizona's Colorado River water supply; - oversees the use of surface and groundwater resources under state jurisdiction, and - represents Arizona in discussions of water rights with the federal government.