The Water Quality Division of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has extended the deadline to submit comments on the September 23, 2010 draft strawman rule. Questions or comments should be directed to:  taunt.linda@azdeq.gov or to lestarge.wendy@azdeq.gov by Sunday, October 3, 2010. ADEQ has posted the September 23, 2010 rule proposal and the PowerPoint presentation on ADEQ’s webpage at: http://www.azdeq.gov/function/laws/draft.html#wqpf

The ADEQ power point presentation is understandably presented to intimidate the general public from participation in any ADEQ rule making activity.

The ADEQ presentation notes, as I understand, the fee for RESIDENTIAL on-site alternative systems will increase from $600 to $1,500, is that correct…?    Please note with specificity what function(s) ADEQ actually provides in the approval process for these systems as in most all instances these are a function of most county environmental depts., save a few isolated small counties.    Lacking any specificity ADEQ should not be receiving a dime.

The ADEQ presentation notes that ADEQ will extract a fee of $122/per hour for their review.   I am mindful of a review which ADEQ performed when fee was $60/per hour for a project of ours where this “review” fee was greater than what we paid the engineer for the total project … Unless ADEQ can assure the public those reviewing these plans are “qualified” what resource does ADEQ provide to the public to challenge not only the fee but the “reviewers” comments…?

I note the ADEQ power point does NOT indicate there will be any PUBLIC  HEARING on the proposed fee increase … in keeping I suspect with the provision that the public be damned they don’t need to know and you sure don’t want them asking questions … do you….?

Respectfully submitted,

Paul F. Miller

PO Box 47146

Phoenix, Arizona 85068-7146

Phone 602-228-2357

email … pfm@watermasters.com