Summary:

ADEQ is responsible for the development of the drinking water aquifer water quality standards (AWQS). See A.R.S. § 49-223. These standards are designed to protect the State's aquifers, all of which have been designated for drinking water-protected use (see A.R.S. § 49-224(B)). The AWQS are used in ADEQ’s Aquifer Protection Permit program (APP), remediation projects under the Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF), the Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP), and elsewhere. In 2021, the Auditor General recommended ADEQ open a rulemaking docket to adopt the seven federal drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) that have either not been established in the AWQS or have been established but are misaligned. On June 25, 2024, EPA's Final Rule for the "PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation" became effective, creating six (6) new Primary Drinking MCLs (see 89 FR 32532). According to A.R.S. § 49-223, ADEQ must open a rulemaking docket for the adoption of MCLs as AWQSs within one year of EPA's establishment of new or adjusted MCLs. On June 28, 2024, pursuant to A.R.S. § 49-223, ADEQ filed two Notice of Docket Openings (NDOs) for the above purpose (see NDOs listed below). ADEQ plans to revisit further rulemaking actions regarding the adoption of the PFAS MCLs as AWQSs in early 2025 | View Fact Sheet >

Documents:

Notice of Docket Opening:

• 18 A.A.C. Chapter 9 | View > 
• 18 A.A.C. Chapter 11 | View > 

Notice of Proposed Rulemakings:

• 18 A.A.C. 9, Articles 1 & 2 — Implementation | View > 
• 18 A.A.C. 11, Article 4 — Arsenic | View > 
• 18 A.A.C. 11, Article 4 — Uranium | View > 
• 18 A.A.C. 11, Article 4 — Microbiological Contaminants | View > 
• 18 A.A.C. 11, Article 4 — Disinfection Byproducts | View > 

Notice of Comment Period & Public Hearing | View >

• Comment Period: Nov. 15, 2024 – Dec. 16, 2024
• Virtual Public Hearing | View Details & Register > 
  • Date: Dec. 16, 2024
  • Time: 11 a.m. (Arizona)
  • Location: GoToWebinar

Additional Information:

View the Resources Page for the draft rule, fact sheet, standard works, past meeting agendas, presentations, etc. | View >

For notifications and updates regarding this rulemaking, subscribe to our Aquifer Water Quality Standards (AWQS) email list | Subscribe to Receive Updates >

¹A.R.S. § 49-223 | View >
²A.R.S. § 49-224 | View >