Posted On: Oct. 15, 2023 - 4:36 p.m.

Pursuant to Arizona statutes,¹ ADEQ is applying for primary enforcement authority (“primacy”) over the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program, currently administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act.² ADEQ is required to adopt a permit program for UIC that is consistent with the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act, in order to prevent underground injection activities that endanger underground sources of drinking water. 

We welcome public review of Arizona’s proposed UIC primacy program application to EPA. Additionally, we welcome any comments on the proposed application and its elements and invite you to participate in the upcoming virtual public hearing (see Public Comment Period below).

Review Documents:

• Original Published Public Notice | View/Download > 
• UIC Primacy Application Documents:
  • Memorandum of Agreement | View/Download > 
  • Program Description | View/Download > 
    • Appendix 1 – Application Templates | View/Download > 
    • Appendix 2 – Permit Templates | View/Download > 
    • Appendix 3 – Arizona – UIC Rule | View/Download > 
    • Appendix 4 – Aquifer Exemption Checklist | View/Download > 
    • Appendix 5 – Aquifer Exemptions | View/Download > 
    • Appendix 6 – 2023 ADEQ Compliance and Enforcement Handbook | View/Download > 
  • Attorney General Statement | View/Download > 
  • Copies of all applicable State statutes and regulations | View/Download > 
• You may also review the above documentation in person at the ADEQ Record Center | Learn How >

Public Comment Period:

Dates: Oct. 15, 2023 – Nov. 20, 2023

Comments may be submitted as follows:

•      By Email | Send Email >
•      By Mail (must be sent by Nov. 20, 2023):

ADEQ
Attn: Water Quality Division/ UIC Program
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ  85007

• Online or by phone at the virtual public hearing on Nov. 20, 2023 | Register to Attend > | View Details >

Update (Feb. 13, 2024): The Safe Drinking Water Act UIC Primacy Application Package has been submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for review and approval. Once the EPA Region 9 review process is complete, they will forward the package to EPA Headquarters for their final review. ADEQ anticipates review time to take from six months to a year.

¹ Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §§ 49-203(A)(6) and 49-257.01(A)

² Any UIC rules promulgated by the State of Arizona shall not have the force and effect of law until EPA approves Arizona’s primacy application through publication of a final rule in the Federal Register.