Final Rule | Water Quality Division
Summary
ADEQ identified the need for technical corrections to the groundwater rules during the prior five-year rule reviews of 18 AAC Chapters 5, 6 and 11. This expedited rulemaking is limited to correcting typographical errors, correcting outdated citations, clarifying language, and fixing similar clerical issues. These technical corrections will not change the meaning of the rules beyond what is already intended and will not add additional burden. As corresponding and referenced statutes and rules change, associated rules must also be corrected and mistakes concurrently fixed.
Documents
Notices of Docket Openings:
Summary Notice of Proposed Expedited Rulemaking
- 18 AAC Chapter 5 | View >
- 18 AAC Chapter 6 | View >
- 18 AAC Chapter 11 | View >
- Comment period open through May 22, 2023
Additional Information:
Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) Study Session (Aug. 29, 2023) and Council Meeting (Sept. 6, 2023) Agendas, Meeting Documents, including PDF copies of materials provided to GRRC for rulemakings, and Minutes available on GRRC's website | Visit Website >
ADEQ conducted a rulemaking to update its water quality fees to maintain our ability to implement water quality programs that protect public health, and to maintain Arizona’s primacy of federal programs. In addition, we amended fee requirements for water quality protection services. We were granted authority through House Bill 2406 in the 2022 legislative session to update fees for multiple water programs.
Water quality fees had not been adjusted since 2011 and the Water Quality Fee Fund faced a structural deficit relative to the Water Quality Division’s costs. Inflation has increased roughly 43 percent since the last adoption of water permitting fees and 34 percent since the adoption of fees for Operator Certification. Without remedy, this deficit would have impacted our long-term ability to effectively implement state and federal water quality programs. Program fees included in this rulemaking are: the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Arizona Aquifer Protection Program, and the Arizona reclaimed water program (A.A.C. Title 18 Chapter 14, Articles 1, 2, 3).
Documents
- Notice of Docket Opening | View >
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking | View >
- Notice of Final Rulemaking | View >
Effective Date: August 4, 2023
Additional Information:
Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) Study Session and Council meeting agendas, meeting documents, including PDF copies of materials provided to the Council for rulemakings, and minutes will be available on GRRC's website | Visit Website >
Interested stakeholders can follow more rulemaking progress on the Water Quality Program's webpage | View >