Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 48-2978 (2026)

General powers of board of directors

✓ current as of May 2026

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In order to accomplish the purposes of the district the board may:

1. Purchase or acquire water rights.

2. Acquire or lease real estate and personal property when necessary.

3. Acquire and hold stock in irrigation ditch and reservoir companies.

4. Lease, sell and otherwise dispose of real estate and personal property.

5. Construct, acquire or purchase canals, ditches, reservoirs, reservoir sites, water, water rights, rights-of-way or other property deemed necessary for the use of the district.

6. Acquire the right to enlarge any ditch, canal or reservoir already constructed or partially constructed.

7. Provide for the construction, operation, leasing and control of plants for the generation, distribution, sale and lease of electrical energy, including sale to municipalities, corporations, public utility districts or individuals of electrical energy so generated.

8. Make appropriations of water for irrigation and power purposes.

9. Refer to the qualified electors of the district any optional or administrative measure or method of procedure or any other matter or proposition the board deems necessary or advisable.

10. Establish tolls or charges for service of irrigation, domestic water, electricity and other commodities.

11. Control the finances and property of the district.

12. Appropriate money and provide for the payment of district debts and expenses.

13. Exercise exclusive control over the laterals, ditches, canals, rights-of-way and other property of the district, prevent encumbering thereof, abate and remove all encumbrances and obstructions thereon, make improvements thereon, vacate any right-of-way not necessary for the further use of the district and protect such right-of-way from encroachment and injuries.

14. Erect and maintain transmission lines and pipelines, culverts, roads and crossways, and prevent obstructions thereon.

15. Provide the district with water, electricity and other public conveniences and necessities, and engage in any and all activities, enterprises and occupations within the powers and privileges of municipalities generally.

16. Apply surplus money in the district treasury to liquidation of district debts or to the creation of a sinking fund pursuant to section 48-2979.

17. Make, amend or repeal resolutions, bylaws and rules necessary for the government of or for carrying into effect the powers vested in irrigation districts or any department or officer thereof, and enforce observance thereof by imposition of penalties. The board may impose penalties not exceeding:

(a) Five hundred dollars for violations by persons who use water for domestic purposes, as defined in section 45-454.

(b) Five thousand dollars for violations by persons who use water for purposes other than domestic purposes.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 7 cases, 1991–2011 · leading case: Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. Arizona Pub. Serv. Co., 64 P.3d 836 (Ariz. 2003).

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Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. Arizona Pub. Serv. Co., 64 P.3d 836 (Ariz. 2003). · cites it 9× “” A.R.S. § 48-2978. We interpreted this very language in City of Scottsdale v.”

Adams v. Comm'n on Appellate Court Appointments, 254 P.3d 367 (Ariz. 2011). · cites it 2× “AR.S. § 48-2978. ¶ 16 Because irrigation districts are political subdivisions of the state and their “officers” include their directors, we conclude that Schnepf and Sossaman hold “public office” for purposes of § 1(3), just as officers of a city or a county hold public office.”

Adams v. Com'n on Appellate Ct. Appointments, 254 P.3d 367 (Ariz. 2011). · cites it 2× “A.R.S. § 48-2978. ¶ 16 Because irrigation districts are political subdivisions of the state and their "officers" include their directors, we conclude that Schnepf and Sossaman hold "public office" for purposes of § 1(3), just as officers of a city or a county hold public office.”

Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. Arizona Pub. Serv. Co., 35 P.3d 117 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 9× “Irrigation districts expressly derive their authority to furnish electricity from § 48-2978, which permits an irrigation district’s board of directors to: 7.”

Maricopa Cnty. v. Maricopa Cnty. Mun. Water Conservation Dist. No. 1, 830 P.2d 846 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “) Furthermore, A.R.S. § 48-2978(15) provides: In order to accomplish the purposes of the district the board may: * * * * * * 15.”

Hancock v. Bisnar, 132 P.3d 283 (Ariz. 2006). “*350 § 48-2978), and to the 1940 adoption of Article 13, Section 7 of the Arizona Constitution, which established irrigation districts as "political subdivisions of the State.”

Gladden, 112 T.C. 209 (1970). “With regard specifically to water irrigation districts, under Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. sec.”

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 48-2978(15) — 3 cases

Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. Arizona Pub. Serv. Co., 64 P.3d 836 (Ariz. 2003). “” A.R.S. § 48-2978. We interpreted this very language in City of Scottsdale v.”

Maricopa Cnty. v. Maricopa Cnty. Mun. Water Conservation Dist. No. 1, 830 P.2d 846 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1991). “) Furthermore, A.R.S. § 48-2978(15) provides: In order to accomplish the purposes of the district the board may: * * * * * * 15.”

Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. Arizona Pub. Serv. Co., 35 P.3d 117 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2001). “Irrigation districts expressly derive their authority to furnish electricity from § 48-2978, which permits an irrigation district’s board of directors to: 7.”

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 48-2978(15)(1997) — 1 case

Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. Arizona Pub. Serv. Co., 64 P.3d 836 (Ariz. 2003). “” A.R.S. § 48-2978. We interpreted this very language in City of Scottsdale v.”

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 48-2978(7) — 2 cases

Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. Arizona Pub. Serv. Co., 64 P.3d 836 (Ariz. 2003). “” A.R.S. § 48-2978. We interpreted this very language in City of Scottsdale v.”

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