ADEQ is revising Arizona’s rules governing the use of recycled water, including reclaimed water and gray water. Since these rules were updated in 2001, Arizona has experienced an expansion in the beneficial reuse of treated wastewater, including new research, technology and proposed uses of recycled water.

Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant.¹ Reclaimed water has uses, such as irrigation, that offset and conserve potable water for human consumption and domestic purposes. Gray water is wastewater that has been collected separately from a sewage flow and that originates from a clothes washer or a bathroom tub, shower or sink but that does not include wastewater from a kitchen sink, dishwasher, or toilet.² Gray water also has uses, such as landscape irrigation, that augment Arizona’s water supply.

ADEQ conducted three listening sessions to gather stakeholder input on possible key changes to the rules and developed a stakeholder issue matrix to summarize the stakeholder input | View Matrix >

ADEQ has also requested two expert workgroups to assist in providing technical advice regarding reclaimed standards, and infrastructure and technology. ADEQ will review the rules in light of workgroups' technical advice, additional stakeholder input, and internal expertise.

Recycled Water Quality Standards Workgroup Charter | Download >
Recycled Water Infrastructure and Technology Workgroup Charter | Download >

ADEQ posts proposed rule changes online and notifies interested stakeholders throughout the rulemaking process.

WQD Draft Rules | View >
WQD Final Rules | View >

View related stakeholder engagement materials, including final combined workgroup report | View >

Also, in January 2018, a recycled water rule update became effective. However, existing issued permits are still in effect according to the rules at the time of permit issuance (i.e., as they existed in 2017) until the permits expire.

Reclaimed water rules as of Dec. 31, 2017 | View >

For questions or comments, email the Rulemaking Team | Email >

¹Arizona Revised Statutes § 49-201(32)
²Arizona Revised Statutes § 49-201(18)
Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Title 18, Chapter 9, Article 7 - Use of Recycled Water | View Current Rule > 
A.A.C. Title 18, Chapter 11, Article 3 - Reclaimed Water Quality Standards | View Current Rule >