Maricopa County, AZ Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Environmental Health Code, Chapter II, Section 2
- Horizontal separation
- 6 feet from water lines minimum
- Vertical separation
- 2 feet below water lines minimum
- Pipe quality order
- Potable, non-potable, reclaimed, then sewer
- Enforcing agency
- Maricopa County Environmental Services Department
Summary
Maricopa County requires reclaimed wastewater lines to be built and separated from drinking water and sewer lines to strict engineering standards before Environmental Services will approve any water reclamation or reuse system.
Pipelines conveying a higher quality of water shall be located above pipelines conveying a lower quality of water. That is, potable water lines shall be installed above non-potable sewer lines, which shall be installed above reclaimed wastewater lines and reclaimed wastewater lines shall be installed above sewer lines. The decreasing quality order of pipeline is: potable water lines, non-potable water lines, reclaimed water lines, and sewer lines.
Full Breakdown
Before any wastewater reclamation or reuse system can operate, Maricopa County Environmental Services must approve construction under Chapter II of the Environmental Health Code. Reclaimed wastewater lines carrying recycled water rank below potable water lines but above sewer lines in required pipeline quality order: potable water lines install highest, then non-potable water lines, then reclaimed water lines, then sewer lines. Reclaimed lines must stay six feet horizontally and two feet vertically from water lines, with extra protection required when crossings can't meet that spacing, and a registered landscape architect can certify reclaimed water distribution system installations.
Violations & Fines
Building or altering a reclaimed water or sewerage system without an Approval to Construct is a Class 2 misdemeanor without a permit, or Class 3 misdemeanor with one; the Department can issue a Cease and Desist Order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can reclaimed water lines run next to drinking water lines in Maricopa County?
Who approves a reclaimed water system in Maricopa County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona water use rules overview
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