Arizona Stormwater Management
Arizona State Overview
Stormwater runoff (discharge) from Arizona construction sites is regulated under section 402 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 402 outlines the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) governs stormwater and non stormwater related discharges from construction sites under the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permitting program. The AZPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated With Construction Activity requires owners or operators of construction sites to apply for AZPDES General Permit coverage if his/her project site will incorporate: (1) land disturbing activities equal to, or greater than one (1) acre; and (2) construction activities involving less than one (1) acre of land disturbing activity but is part of a common plan of development or sale equal to or greater than one (1) acre.
The rules and regulations associated with AZPDES General Permit for Construction Activities is intended to protect the natural water resources of the State of Arizona. These regulations are vital to Arizona’s effort to protect and improve water quality within the state.
To learn more about stormwater management, check out the Stormwater Management section on this website and enroll in one of our online certificate programs before it rains again.
Stormwater runoff (discharge) from Arizona construction sites is regulated under section 402 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 402 outlines the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) governs stormwater and non stormwater related discharges from construction sites under the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permitting program. The AZPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated With Construction Activity requires owners or operators of construction sites to apply for AZPDES General Permit coverage if his/her project site will incorporate: (1) land disturbing activities equal to, or greater than one (1) acre; and (2) construction activities involving less than one (1) acre of land disturbing activity but is part of a common plan of development or sale equal to or greater than one (1) acre.
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AZ DEQ MSGP Sample Collection Form
AZ DEQ Sector P Fact Sheet
AZ DEQ MSGP Sampling and Analysis Plan Template
AZ DEQ MSGP Routine Inspection Template
AZ DEQ Industrial Stormwater Pre-Inspection Checklist
AZ DEQ MSGP Sector S Visual Requirements
AZ DEQ Sector N Fact Sheet
AZ DEQ Annual Report Form- Mining and Non-Mining MSGPs
AZ DEQ MSGP Mining Fact Sheet
AZ DEQ MSGP Visual Assessment Form
AZ DEQ Sector R Fact Sheet
AZ DEQ MSGP SWPPP Template
AZ DEQ MSGP Requirements at A Glance
AZ DEQ Sector L Closure Certification
AZ DEQ MSGP Response to Public Comments
AZ DEQ Industrial Stormwater Permit
AZ DEQ Sector M and Sector N Fact Sheet
AZ DEQ Sector AA Fact Sheet
AZ DEQ MSGP Fact Sheet
AZ DEQ DMR Frequently Asked Questions
AZ DEQ Mining Industrial Permit
AZ DEQ MSGP for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities
Arizona Permit Application Process
The owner or operator of a construction site where land disturbing activities are equal to, or greater than one (1) acre; less than one (1) acre but is part of a common plan of development or sale equal to or greater than one (1) acre must obtain authorization to discharge stormwater by Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality - Water Quality Division.
It is required that the owner or operator create a site specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, which will need to be submitted with a complete and accurate Notice of Intent (NOI). The NOI form can be submitted electronically via the Smart NOI Web site at: https://azdeq.gov/node/1143 or a paper copy of the NOI can be found on ADEQ’s website. Student's enrolled in a Qualified Preparer of swppp (QPswppp) program can also locate this document by clicking the “Resources” tab on your student dashboard within the eCampus. Look in the “Arizona-Construction” section to find the NOI and other related documents.
Operator who are applying for routine coverage will receive authorization to discharge stormwater from a construction project 7 calendar days after a complete and accurate NOI is received by ADEQ’s Surface Water Section or when an authorization certificate is issued, whichever is earlier. However, in order to rely on the 7 calendar day “default” provision, the operator must submit the NOI in a manner that documents the date of ADEQ’s receipt (i.e., certified mail, hand delivery, etc.).
Alternatively, applicants that submit a SMART NOI using the electronic signature feature will typically obtain immediate authorization unless any portion of the site is located within 1/4 mile of an impaired water or outstanding Arizona water (OAW). A complete list of OAWs can be found of the ADEQ website where you can also find additional program details.
Arizona Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
The owner or operator of an Arizona construction site where land disturbing activities are equal to, or greater than one (1) acre; less than one (1) acre but is part of a common plan of development or sale equal to or greater than one (1) acre must prepare and submit a comprehensive Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to receive authorization to discharge stormwater by Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality - Water Quality Division.
The plan must describe how the permittee will effectively design, install and maintain effective erosion controls, sediment controls and pollution prevention measures appropriate for the site conditions throughout the construction project. The SWPPP shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with good engineering practices and contain all information requested in the Arizona Construction General Permit, including the implementation of a stomrwater management team responsible for overseeing the development of the SWPPP, any later modifications to it, and for compliance with the requirements in the permit.
Arizona Construction Storm Water Inspection Frequency
The owner or operator of an Arizona construction site where land disturbing activities are equal to, or greater than one (1) acre; less than one (1) acre but is part of a common plan of development or sale equal to or greater than one (1) acre must perform and document compliance inspections.
Stormwater compliance inspections must be conducted by a “qualified person”. Qualified personnel are those (either the operator’s employees or outside personnel) who are knowledgeable in the principles and practice of erosion and sediment controls and pollution prevention, who possess the skills to assess conditions at the construction site that could impact stormwater quality, and the skills to assess the effectiveness of any control measures selected to control the quality of stormwater discharges from the construction activity.
At a minimum, the operator shall conduct a site inspection in accordance with one of the schedules listed in the Arizona Construction General Permit. The operator shall document in the SWPPP which schedule is being used and, when necessary, the location of the rain gauge or weather station used to obtain rainfall information. The Department encourages adding inspections before and/ or during predicted storm events and “spot” inspections to ensure control measures will be effective in managing stormwater runoff and associated pollutants.
Routine inspections shall be performed at the site to ensure control measures are functional and that the SWPPP is being properly implemented. For any day of rainfall during normal business hours that measures 0.25 inch or greater. The site needs to inspected a minimum of once every 7 calendar days, or; be inspected a minimum of once every 14 calendar days, and also within 24 hours of each storm event of 0.5 inch or greater in 24 hours; or the site will be inspected a minimum of once per month, but not within 14 calendar days of the previous inspection and within 24 hours of the occurrence of a storm event of 0.25 inch or greater.
For reduced inspection schedules and inspections within ¼ mile of impaired waters or OAW please refer to the Arizona Construction General Permt.
Arizona Construction Stormwater - Credential Requirements
The owner or operator of an Arizona construction site where land disturbing activities are equal to, or greater than one (1) acre; less than one (1) acre but is part of a common plan of development or sale equal to or greater than one (1) acre must provide qualified personnel to perform inspections according to the selected inspection schedule identified in the SWPPP as outlined in the Construction General Permit.
The SWPPP must be prepared using in concert with the “stormwater team”
The SWPPP shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with good engineering practices. Each operator, or group of operators, must assemble a “stormwater team,” which is responsible for overseeing the development of the SWPPP, any later modifications to it, and for compliance with the requirements in this permit.
The SWPPP must identify the name, title and a description of the qualifications and a copy of any training certificates of team members. The team may include members who are not employed by the operator (such as third party consultants).
Document your credentials today by completing one of our StormwaterONE.com online certificate programs by clicking on the catalog tab above.
Arizona Final Stabilization for Construction Activities
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requires the permittee to initiate vegetation whenever any clearing, grading, excavating or other earth disturbing activities have permanently ceased on any portion of the site; all construction materials, waste, and temporary erosion and sediment control measures (including any sediment that was being retained by the temporary erosion and sediment control measures) have been removed and properly disposed; and a uniform (i.e., evenly distributed, without large bare areas) vegetative cover with a density of 70% of the native background vegetative cover for the area is in place on all unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures.
When preconstruction native background vegetation covered less than 100% of the ground (e.g., arid areas, beaches), the 70% coverage criteria is adjusted as follows: if the native vegetation covered 50% of the ground, 70% of 50% (.70 X .50 = .35) or 35% cover density would be required. Additional stabilization details and alternatives are outlined in the Construction General Permit.
Arizona Stormwater Permit Termination Process - Notice of Termination (NOT)
Once final stabilization has been achieved and all clearing, grading, excavating or other earth disturbing activities have permanently ceased on the site; all construction materials, waste, and temporary erosion and sediment control measures (including any sediment that was being retained by the temporary erosion and sediment control measures) have been removed and properly disposed; the operator can terminate permit coverage.
To terminate permit coverage the operator must submit a complete and accurate Notice of Termination (NOT) form. Operators may submit a paper copy (photocopy/ fax/ e-mail/ electronic) to the ADEQ or through electronic submission via the myDEQ Web site at: https://azdeq.gov/node/331.
For additional details on transferring coverage to another operator, please refer to the Arizona Construction General Permit.
AZ DEQ Outstanding Arizona Waters List
AZ DEQ Construction Pre-Inspection Checklist
AZ DEQ CGP Fact Sheet
AZ DEQ Construction SWPPP Template
AZ DEQ Impaired Waters List
AZ DEQ Construction General Permit
Pacific Southwest
Eugene Bromley
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(415) 972-3510
US EPA, Region 09
75 Hawthorne St
San Francisco, CA, 94105-3901
Monica Rabb
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(928) 213-2473
Email Monica »
Agency Website »
1110 W Washington St. Mail Code: 5415A-1
Phoenix, AZ, 85007
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