ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

HB 2272: municipal separate storm sewer system

Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 19

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Overview

Removes the definition of county as it relates to local stormwater quality programs.

History

Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt that flows over land or surfaces and does not soak into the ground. The runoff can pick up pollutants such as trash, chemicals, microbial contaminants, oils and sediment. Stormwater runoff does not flow to wastewater treatment facilities like domestic water, before being discharged to the nearest waterway. The pollutants impact water quality and aquatic habitat. To protect streams, rivers and lakes, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) administers Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permits. These permits require communities, construction companies, industries and others to use best management practices to filter out pollutants or prevent pollution at its source (ADEQ).

Structural systems owned by a public entity to collect and convey stormwater discharged to waters of the United States are known as MS4s. There are two categories of MS4s that are required to maintain AZPDES permit coverage;

a) Phase I MS4s, or otherwise known as Large or Medium MS4s; and

b) Phase II MS4s, or otherwise known as Small MS4s.

Actions to decrease the discharge of pollutants are found in the Stormwater Management Program (SWMP), which is a document prepared by each MS4 and posted on the city, county or agency website (ADEQ).

Provisions

1. Eliminates the definition of county as provided in A.R.S. 49-371, which relates to local stormwater quality regulatory programs. (Sec. 1)

4. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

5. HB 2272

6. Initials CW Page 0 Natural Resources, Energy & Water

8. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------