Industrial water in Arizona

The industrial water source may be groundwater, a municipal system or a supply connected to the Colorado River system. These do not have identical constraints. Groundwater users in an Active Management Area can face water-right, conservation, measuring and reporting requirements. The applicable management plan depends on the area and user category. Fifth Management Plan requirements in the initial areas must not be assumed identical in newly designated areas such as Willcox. Confirm the local plan and your water rights with ADWR.

Sources: Arizona ADWR commercial and industrial conservation; ADWR management plans; ADWR Willcox requirements

You want to use reclaimed water

ADEQ's Type 2 general permits link the reclaimed-water class to listed uses under 18 A.A.C. 11 Article 3 Appendix A. Class A and A+ permits include specified uses such as commercial closed-loop air conditioning and equipment washing. ADEQ requires a Notice of Intent for each activity intended to be covered. The general permits described on its pages are valid for five years.

A separate individual reclaimed-water permit concerns certain industrial wastewater containing sewage or intended for processing food-related crops or substances beyond the normal industrial process. ADEQ states that this particular permit does not apply to wastewater recycled or used within the industrial process. That exclusion is limited to this permit; it does not remove groundwater protection, discharge, worker safety or other applicable obligations.

Sources: ADEQ Type 2 reclaimed water permits and notices; ADEQ Class A reclaimed water permit; ADEQ industrial individual reuse permit scope

Metals, nutrients and supply quality

A reclaimed-water class addresses a defined regulatory reuse situation. The industrial discharge authorization and receiving sewer conditions separately determine limits for metals and nutrient forms. Internal recycling also needs a process-quality assessment of salts, scaling, corrosion and any microbial exposure.