Why do I need an Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) De Minimis General Permit?

This general permit provides a simpler, faster way to obtain permit coverage for certain types of non-stormwater discharges to protected surface waters, as an alternative to individual Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permitting. “De Minimis discharge” is defined as a discharge to U.S. waters that: meets the applicable surface water quality standards; is a low-flow and/or low-frequency event, or is otherwise determined by ADEQ to have no significant impacts on water quality or the environment; is conducted with appropriate best management practices; and does not last continuously for more than 30 days unless ADEQ approves a longer discharge period.

What discharges need De Minimis General Permit (DMGP) coverage?

This permit is available to cover discharges from potable water systems; hydrostatic testing of pipes, tanks and vessels; subterranean dewatering (groundwater from foundation, footer drain, basement, underground structure or construction dewatering); well purging; well development, maintenance, and aquifer testing; reclaimed water systems; uncontaminated air conditioning condensate or overflow from residential evaporative coolers; charitable noncommercial car washes; freshwater swimming pool drainage that has been dechlorinated; or other discharges determined by ADEQ to be eligible for specific approval. Permit coverage can be temporary or long-term. With some exceptions, coverage is requested by submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) online through myDEQ. 

2021 AZPDES DMGP - Modified

The June 1, 2020, DMGP was modified to include non-WOTUS protected surface waters. This modification was necessary in order to incorporate Arizona’s new Surface Water Protection Program (SWPP)¹ | Visit SWPP Page >

The DMGP permit modification became effective Sept. 29, 2021. No action is currently required to maintain coverage if you have an active NOI.

2021 Permit — Modified | View >
2021 Fact Sheet — Modified | View > 
Response to Comments | View >

Fees²

Notice of Intent for Single Source: $250 at time of submission, then annual thereafter until permit is terminated 

Notice of Intent for Areawide/Projectwide/Facilitywide: $500 at time of submission, then annual thereafter until permit is terminated

Review of a Best Management Practices Plan (BMPP): $1,000 for the first review (only applies if a BMPP is submitted to ADEQ for review) and $500 for any re-review due to deficiencies

Paperless NOIs and NOTs with myDEQ

To submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for DMGP coverage or a Notice of Termination (NOT), you will need to use myDEQ | Learn More >