Bill would let small Arizona towns test water samples on-site and cap storage rules for tiny systems

The act amends section 49-241 and section 49-255.01 to allow on-site bacteriological testing in these towns and to include it in the state's discharge permit rules. It covers cities and towns with a population of one thousand or more but less than ten thousand, and the permits issued to them. The Arizona pollutant discharge elimination system rules would provide for the on-site equipment. The testing equipment must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The aquifer protection permit rule says the city or town "may" test on-site; the discharge rules say the rules "shall provide for" using such equipment.

The act amends section 49-352 to limit the minimum storage capacity the department may require of very small community water systems. It covers community water systems with twenty-five or fewer service connections in counties with a population of four hundred thousand or less. The cap applies "notwithstanding any other law." The limit is on the minimum storage capacity the department may require; it does not say how much storage a system may choose to keep.

Sections 45-341 and 49-353 are amended and reprinted, with existing water quality, plan review, and lead-use rules. It covers public water systems in Arizona and the state environmental department. Projects costing $12,500 or less, and certain water line projects of more than $12,500 and under $50,000 with an engineer's sealed design, are exempt from plan review under the rules as printed. Pipes, fittings, and fixtures used for drinking water may not exceed a weighted average of one-quarter of one percent lead.