Water application denied

An Arizona official has rejected a company's proposal to pump groundwater into Nevada from extreme northwestern Arizona to feed growth in Mesquite.

Water Resources Director Herb Guenther on Wednesday followed the recommendation of an administrative law judge by denying Wind River Resources' application.

In 2005, the company filed for a permit to pump water from the Muddy Creek aquifer north of Beaver Dam, Ariz., and sell it to the Virgin Valley Water District in Mesquite, approximately 10 miles away.

The company also wanted to piggyback on Mesquite's water system, using it to deliver water back across the border to supply development on another part of the "Arizona Strip."

Arizona has never granted a permit to allow groundwater to exported from the state.

The Wind River application drew opposition from Beaver Dam and Littlefield, Ariz., residents, who expressed concerns that the project could leave their wells dry.

Guenther's decision came as no surprise to Michael Winters, general manager of the Virgin Valley Water District.

"That's just how we thought it would go," he said. "I wouldn't expect Arizona to have approved it."

Winters said the district was prepared to buy the water from Wind River but was not counting on it to supply Mesquite's growing thirst.

"We're going to proceed with the plans that we have," he said.

Winters said the district serves about 18,000 customers but owns the rights to enough additional groundwater to support up to 40,000 people, depending on how the community develops.

Wind River Resources can seek a rehearing, file a new application or challenge the denial in court.

Winters expects some kind of appeal.

"It's not over by a long shot," he said.

"I think this is going to go on for a long while."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.