Public Information on Statute

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 49-358, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (Department) has developed a water system compliance assistance program to assist public water systems in complying with state and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding safe drinking water.  Currently there are 1,515 public water systems (PWS) in operation in Arizona.  Of this universe of water systems, 1,449 (96%) are classified as “small water systems” serving 10,000 or fewer persons.  Historically, these small-and medium-sized public water systems have accrued the vast majority of Arizona’s reported drinking water violations (e.g., contaminant exceedance violations, no certified operator, missed monitoring).  The compliance assistance program works to ensure that public water systems possess the technical, managerial and financial capabilities to operate in accordance with all the drinking water rules and regulation and identifies smaller public water systems needing technical assistance which is provided by the Department or through third party contractors.

Draft Master Priority List

Public water systems are identified for technical assistance on the basis of the Master Priority List (MPL) which is updated annually in April.  The criteria used to determine the need for assistance include the criteria used in determining the technical, managerial and financial (TMF) capacity of existing PWSs.  Additional criteria include the public water system’s score on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Enforcement Targeting Tool, system classification type, population served, and violation history.  Technical assistance contracts are typically awarded to conduct a TMF capacity assessment of the water system or an evaluation of compliance options.   As funding allows, the Department will award technical assistance to the PWSs with the highest MPL ranking.  The Water Infrastructure Financing Authority (WIFA) also uses the MPL to identify possible candidates for additional technical assistance and/or financial assistance (e.g., low interest loans, planning grants) through that program.

Review Documents

Original Published Public Notice | View/Print >
FY18 Draft Mater Priority List | View >

You may also review the above documentation in person at the ADEQ Record Center | Learn How >

Public Comment Period 

Dates: May 26, 2017 – June 26, 2017

Written comments must include the name, mailing address, signature of commenter and/or their agent or attorney and clearly set forth reasons why the permit should or should not be issued. After completion of the 30-day review and comment period, the Department will formulate a response to submitted comments and consider modifications to the MPL in response to the comments. If no comments are received, the draft MPL becomes final. If comments are received, the revised MPL will then be re-published in the Arizona Administrative Register, including a summary of comments received and the Department’s response to the comments.

Comments may be submitted as follows:
     By Email | Send Email > 
     By Mail (Must be postmarked or received by June 26, 2017):

       ADEQ
       Linda Taunt
       Water Quality Division
       1110 W. Washington Street
       Phoenix, AZ  85007 

Public Hearing Date

Monday, June 26, 2017