ADEQ’s Groundwater Protection, Reclamation and Reuse Section plays a critical role in ensuring Arizona’s groundwater resources are protected. To protect groundwater from pollutants we: 

• Implement state Aquifer Water Quality Standards
• Administer permits for discharges
• Monitor pesticide amounts found in aquifers
• Monitor and assess groundwater quality

Groundwater Protection

Aquifer Protection Program (APP) Permit 

The Aquifer Protection Program (APP) permit is designed to protect groundwater aquifers in Arizona, and prevent further degradation of an aquifer at a point of compliance by any person/company that operates a discharging facility | Learn More About APP >

Aquifer Water Quality Standards (AWQS)

These standards are designed to protect Arizona's aquifers and used in our permitting, Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund and Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) | Learn More About AWQS >

Groundwater Quality Monitoring Program 

Formerly known as the Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Program, the Groundwater Quality Monitoring Program is responsible for the monitoring and assessment of groundwater quality in aquifers in Arizona, with the exception of Tribal Nation lands | Learn More About Program >

Pesticide Groundwater Quality Protection Program

The Arizona Pesticide Groundwater Quality Protection Program prevents groundwater contamination from routine agricultural pesticide use. The program monitors groundwater and soils for pesticide active ingredients.¹ In accordance with the statute, the program’s objectives are to determine:

• the mobility and persistence of pesticides, 
• whether these pesticides have migrated into the groundwater, 
• the probability for known pesticides to migrate into the groundwater, and

All monitoring results are reported to the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) | Learn More >

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities (OWTFs)  

Many Arizona homes and businesses that are not connected to a public sewer system rely on onsite wastewater treatment systems — commonly known as septic systems — to safely manage household wastewater. These systems protect public health and prevent contamination of soil and groundwater.

ADEQ has authority for issuing permits for OWTFs and has delegated this authority to each of the 15 counties, which issue permits on behalf of ADEQ | Learn More About OWTFs > 

Reclamation & Reuse

Reclaimed Water and Direct Reuse 

Reclaimed water has uses, such as irrigation, that augment Arizona’s water supply by offsetting and conserving potable water for consumption and domestic purposes | Learn More About Reclamation >

Gray Water

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 gray water does not include wastewater from a kitchen sink, dishwasher or toilet. Gray water uses, such as landscape irrigation, augment Arizona’s water supply | Learn More About Gray Water >

¹As required by Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §49-307 | View >