The proposed bill would amend current statutes related to water quality and aquifer protection permits. Specifically, it would allow cities or towns with populations between 1,000 and 9,999 to conduct on-site testing of bacteriological samples using EPA-approved equipment for aquifer protection permits. Additionally, the bill prohibits the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) from requiring community water systems in counties with populations of 400,000 or fewer, serving 25 or fewer connections, to maintain a storage capacity exceeding 1,000 gallons.

Current definitions and requirements regarding public water systems and permit conditions would remain largely unchanged, with minor adjustments for clarity and consistency. The bill also includes technical changes to ensure compliance with federal regulations and updates the language regarding project costs for water system modifications. Overall, the bill aims to streamline testing processes for smaller communities while maintaining necessary environmental protections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-241, 49-255.01, 49-250, 49-323, 35-146, 35-147, 49-210
Senate Engrossed Version: 49-241, 49-255.01, 49-250, 49-323, 35-146, 35-147, 49-210
House Engrossed Version: 45-341, 49-241, 49-255.01, 49-352, 49-353, 49-250, 49-323, 35-146, 35-147, 49-210, 49-203, 41-1028, 49-221, 49-222