Arizona's Nonpoint Source Program gathers information, monitors and focuses on the following land use activities that can negatively impact surface and groundwater within the state:

• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Urban runoff
• Hydromodification
• Onsite/septic waste treatment systems
• Mining
• Recreation

ADEQ's Nonpoint Source staff work with local stakeholder groups and land management agencies to develop implementation plans to reduce sediment and nutrient loads from nonpoint sources and help impaired waters attain water quality standards.

Arizona's Nonpoint Source Program gathers information, monitors and focuses on the following land use activities that can harm surface and groundwater within the state: agriculture, forestry, urban runoff, hydromodification, onsite/septic waste treatment systems, mining and recreation.

Arizona's 5-Year Nonpoint Source Management Plan
Arizona's Nonpoint Source Management Plan integrates the state's Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act programs with voluntary incentives. ADEQ uses a combination of tools to protect the state's water resources from nonpoint source pollution. These include:

• Surface and ground water monitoring
• Watershed inventories
• Watershed characterizations
• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies
• TMDL implementation plans
• Watershed-based plans
• Water quality improvement projects

ADEQ has revised and updated Arizona's 5-Year Nonpoint Source Management Plan. This State Management Plan will guide and direct ADEQ's activities through 2008 and fulfills the requirements of Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Arizona's Nonpoint Source State Management Plan comprehensively describes a framework for agency coordination and cooperation and serves to implement a strategy for employing effective management measures and programs to control nonpoint source pollution statewide.

A combination of tools, such as surface and ground water monitoring, watershed inventories, watershed characterizations, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies, TMDL implementation plans, watershed-based plans, and water quality improvement projects, will be used to protect the state's water resources from nonpoint source pollution. With improved coordination, collaboration and combined agency and local stakeholders efforts working to implement measures outlined in this plan, nonpoint source pollution can be better managed and controlled at both statewide and community levels.

If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Followill, Grant and Outreach Coordinator at (602) 771-4635 or toll free at (800) 234-5677.

Arizona's 2007 Nonpoint Source Annual Report
Arizona's 2007 Nonpoint Source Annual Report is an overview of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Nonpoint Source Program's activities for fiscal year 2007 (July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007). A majority of the work preformed by ADEQ's Nonpoint Source Program is funded by Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grants, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act requires States to report annually on progress in meeting the schedule of milestones contained in their nonpoint source management plans, and report reductions in nonpoint source pollutant loadings and improvements in water quality resulting from program implementation.

The report is divided into seven sections and provides the following information.

• Measuring Success - A brief summary of progress in meeting approved milestones and the short- and long-term goals and objectives identified in Arizona's 5-Year Nonpoint Source Management Plan.
• Federal Support - A discussion of the extent to which Federal agencies, lands and activities within the State are supporting the State in meeting approved milestones.
• Water Quality Improvements and Load Reductions - A summary of the available information on the amount of improvement in water quality (including aquatic habitat quality) and the extent of reductions in nonpoint source loadings achieved as a result of nonpoint source program implementation.
• Program Enhancements - A list of further actions necessary to achieve the goals of the Clean Water Act, including any recommendations for future state or national programs to control nonpoint source pollution.
• Successful Implementation Projects - Brief case studies of particularly successful nonpoint source control efforts.
• Public Awareness - Information on increases in public awareness of nonpoint source pollution and public involvement.
• Program Highlights - Information on products produced or deliverables met by Arizona's Nonpoint Source Program (e.g., outreach materials or BMP documents). Web site references are provided.

See also:
  ADEQ Water Quality Improvement Grant Program
  EPA Clean Water Action Plan
  Verde Watershed Volunteer Sampling Data