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PUBLIC NOTICE | Proposed Fiscal Year 2022 Master Priority List

In addition to a written comment period, ADEQ will hold a virtual meeting to accept public comments on the draft FY22 Master Priority List. ADEQ uses the rankings on the Master Priority List when awarding technical assistance to public water systems.

Public Information on Statute

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 49-358, ADEQ has developed a public water system compliance assistance program to assist small water systems in complying with state and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding safe drinking water. As of May 1, 2021, there are 1,514 public water systems (PWS) in operation in Arizona. Of this universe of water systems, 1,449 (96 percent) 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 capacity development program works to ensure that public water systems possess the technical, managerial and financial capacity to operate in accordance with all the drinking water rules and regulation. ADEQ’s technical assistance program also reaches out to “small public water systems” needing technical, managerial or financial assistance which is provided by ADEQ staff 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 the spring. The criteria used to determine the need for assistance include the measures 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 (ETT), system classification type, population served, and violation history. Technical assistance contracts are typically awarded to prepare one of several deliverables: a TMF capacity assessment of the water system, an evaluation of compliance options for water systems with maximum contaminant level (MCL) violations, design of a treatment system to address an ongoing MCL violation or conducting a well evaluation for possible non-treatment options. As funding is available, ADEQ will award technical assistance to those PWSs with the highest MPL rankings and who are willing to work with ADEQ and its technical assistance providers. 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, technical assistance design grants, forgivable principle).

Review Documents

Original Published Public Notice | View/Download >
FY22 Draft Master Priority ListView/Download > 
FY22 Draft Master Priority List Legend | View/Download >

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

Public Comment Period 

Dates: June 4, 2021 – July 6, 2021

Comments may be submitted as follows:
     By Email | Send Email > 
     By Mail (Must be postmarked or received by 
July 6, 2021):

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

Virtual Meeting Information

Date: July 6, 2021
Time: 9 a.m.
PlaceJoin Online | Join Google Meeting on Meeting Date/Time > 
            
Call In: : 216-505-9931
            Access Code (PIN): 278 877 255#

Following the meeting, ADEQ will formulate a response to submitted comments and consider modifications to the MPL in response to those comments. If no comments are received, the MPL becomes final on July 6, 2021. If comments are received and changes are made, notice of the revised MPL will be re-published in the Arizona Administrative Register, along with a summary of comments received and ADEQ’s response to those comments.