49-356. Water systems; designating lead agency; coordinating council

A. The department of environmental quality is designated as the lead agency to review the operations of water systems and the practices of governmental agencies that oversee and regulate them.

B. A water systems coordinating council is established in the department of environmental quality consisting of representatives of at least the following governmental entities and agencies or private water systems:

1. The department of environmental quality.

2. The corporation commission.

3. The state real estate department.

4. The department of water resources.

5. The department of health services.

6. The office of the state fire marshal in the Arizona department of forestry and fire management.

7. One representative of the health department of a county having a population exceeding one million five hundred thousand persons.

8. One representative of the health department of a county having a population exceeding five hundred thousand but not exceeding one million five hundred thousand persons.

9. One member who is appointed by the director and who represents county planning and zoning departments.

10. One member who is appointed by the director and who represents a city or town with a population of less than ten thousand.

11. One member who is appointed by the director and who represents investor owned water systems.

C. The determination of the number and appointment of representatives for the departments designated in subsection B, paragraphs 1, 4 and 5 of this section shall be made by the director of the respective departments. The determination of the number and appointment of representatives of the state real estate department shall be made by the commissioner of the state real estate department. The determination of the number and appointment of representatives of the office of the state fire marshal shall be made by the state forester. The appointment of representatives under subsection B, paragraphs 7 and 8 of this section shall be made by the director of the department of health services.

D. Additional members may be appointed at the discretion of the council. A representative from the department of environmental quality, selected by the director, shall serve as chairman of the council. The council shall meet at least quarterly and may meet more often to conduct its business.

E. The council shall:

1. Develop public education and information programs for owners, operators and customers of water systems.

2. Identify programs to advise and assist owners and operators of water systems in management, accounting, engineering and other technical areas.

3. Integrate and coordinate information databases among member agencies.

4. Evaluate the statutory and regulatory authority of governmental entities regarding water systems and recommend appropriate changes.

5. Develop any other programs and recommendations that would benefit the owners, operators and customers of water systems and the statutory and regulatory practices of government agencies.

6. Identify sources of funding to accomplish the purposes of this section.

7. Investigate mechanisms to ensure the financial viability of new water systems before they begin operation.