Briefly put, all aquifers in the State are classified as drinking water aquifers, with certain exceptions. Dischargers must show that pollutants coming from their facilities will not cause or contribute to a violation of the aquifer water quality standards. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issues APPs. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality also protects public health with wastewater reuse permits. Reuse standards for turf irrigation exist for both restricted areas and those open to the public.
Reclaimed water meets reuse standards for open access.
Agricultural irrigation of non-food crops is also permitted. Generally, these agricultural standards are concerned with fecal coliform and pH levels. Recreational bodies of water filled with effluent can be permitted for various degrees of human contact, depending the quality of the water. Other permits may also be needed, depending on how or where the effluent is reused. Four types of recharge permits are issued by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.