The Drinking Water Engineering Review Program conducts a detailed technical review of public water system designs in Arizona prior to and after construction to ensure the systems are designed and built to standards that provide safe, potable water to customers as required under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

Drinking Water Systems Review

Public water system facilities comprise of waterlines, booster pumps, storage tanks, wells, and other structures and devices that treat, store and deliver drinking water to residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Prior to developing a new drinking water system or modifying an existing system (including the addition of new water sources), applicants must:

1. Apply for and receive an "Approval to Construct" Certificate from ADEQ before construction begins.
2. Apply for and receive an "Approval of Construction" before operating the facility.

Learn more about Approval to Construct, Approval of Construction and design standards | Learn More >

Drinking Water Point-of-Use (POU)/Point-of-Entry (POE) Review

ADEQ safe drinking water rules allow public water systems to employ point-of-use (POU) or point-of-entry (POE) treatment devices as a means for compliance with drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCL). Typically POU devices are designed to treat the water being used for drinking and cooking purposes and are installed at a single tap or kitchen sink. POE devices treat all the water coming into a home or building. Whereas, a centralized treatment system treats all of the water produced by the public water system. Since only 1 to 3 percent of water entering a home is used for direct consumption, a POU or POE compliance program can result in significant cost savings and be an attractive compliance option for many small water systems.

The Engineering Review Program conducts the technical review for proposed POU/POE compliance programs and applicants must:

1. Apply for and receive an "Approval to Install" Certificate before installing POU/POE devices.
2. Apply for and receive an "Approval of Installation" Certificate before employing POU/POE devices.

Learn more about application submittals for POU Water Systems Approval | View >

4-Log Removal Review

The Ground Water Rule provides increased protection against microbial pathogens in public water systems (PWSs) that use groundwater. Instead of requiring disinfection for all groundwater systems, a system can conduct triggered source water monitoring or compliance monitoring with 4-log removal.  Triggered source water monitoring requires additional sampling and/or corrective action if a sample is positive for total coliform.  Compliance monitoring requires a system to show they are providing consistent treatment by providing at least 99.99 percent (4-log) treatment of viruses (using inactivation, removal, or a state-approved combination of inactivation and removal) of all of their groundwater.  In order to receive 4-Log Removal of Viruses credit, each system’s processes will need to be reviewed and approved by ADEQ. In order for a PWS to receive this approval, each system will need to submit an application form and required information.