Stormwater Quality

Nationwide, polluted stormwater runoff has been identified as a leading cause of water quality problems in nearly 40 percent of surveyed U.S. waters which currently do not meet water quality standards. When it rains in Maricopa County, stormwater runoff does not go to a treatment plant as one might think. Stormwater runoff often drains into the streets via curbs, gutters, pipes, channels, or community retention basins such as parks, local lakes and floodways. In an effort to address this issue, the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) includes a series of stormwater regulations to address stormwater and urban runoff through a permitting program called the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Here in Arizona, the program is administered by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the program is called the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Program. One portion of the program regulates owners of municipalities in Arizona, including Maricopa County (i.e. The Unicorporated County is being treated as a regulated municipality).

Maricopa County’s Stormwater Quality Program will address urban stormwater runoff to help reduce and potentially eliminate pollution from entering our main waterbodies (the Salt and Gila River systems). The County will be working with the general public to establish plans to educate and regulate discharges into the storm drain system. Elements of the program include a proposed Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that incorporates Best Management Practices (BMPs) associated with 6 Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) as outlined by the federal rule:

• Public Education and Outreach
• Public Participation/Involvement
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
• Construction Site Runoff Control
• Post-Construction Runoff Control
• Pollution prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

To date, Maricopa County does not officially have a permit in place. However, it is anticipated the County and ADEQ will have permit discussions this year. Regardless, Maricopa County has already initiated many of the proposed BMPs outlined in the proposed SWMP submitted to ADEQ.

In addition to the municipal permitting issues, Maricopa County’s Environmental Services Department assists and acts as a regional resource on stormwater quality issues helping out other municipalities, County Departments or agencies on stormwater permitting issues related to the MS4, Construction or Industrial permitting programs regulated by ADEQ.

Maricopa County is a member of STORM (STormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities), a regional public education group established to promote regional stormwater public education through outreach. For further information on STORM, please visit ( http://www.azstorm.org/).

For further information on Maricopa County’s stormwater program, please contact Stan Snitzer, Stormwater Quality Program Coordinator at 602-506-6469 or webmail@mail.maricopa.gov

Stormwater NOI Fax # 602-372-0631 (For Unincorporated Maricopa County only).