State of Arizona

Yes—many municipalities offer stormwater fee credits or reductions for property owners who actively manage runoff on-site and reduce the burden on public stormwater infrastructure. Credit programs vary by jurisdiction but commonly recognize:

On-site detention or retention: Ponds, underground vaults, and other systems that hold and slowly release stormwater can qualify for volume-based fee reductions.

Green infrastructure: Bioretention areas, permeable pavement, green roofs and native landscaping may qualify for additional credits in municipalities that incentivize water quality improvements.

Documented maintenance: Some programs require proof of regular inspections and maintenance to retain credits — meaning a lapsed maintenance program can result in losing a credit you’ve held for years.

AQUALIS can review your property’s eligibility for local stormwater credit programs and help prepare the documentation required to apply or maintain credits. Savings vary widely by municipality but can offset a meaningful portion of annual fee assessments.

Stormwater systems are designed to manage a specific volume and velocity of water. When they’re not maintained, performance degrades and the consequences can be significant:

Regulatory risk: A failed inspection or malfunctioning system can result in a Notice of Violation (NOV), fines and mandated repairs under a regulatory timeline, often more costly than routine maintenance would have been.

Property damage: Clogged inlets, deteriorated pipes and overwhelmed ponds lead to flooding, erosion and structural damage to pavement and buildings. Sinkholes caused by failed underground infrastructure are a common and expensive result of deferred maintenance.

Environmental liability: Untreated runoff carrying pollutants into waterways can expose property owners to broader environmental enforcement, including from state environmental agencies and the EPA.

Permit renewal risk: Many stormwater permits require demonstrated compliance history at renewal. Gaps in maintenance records can complicate or delay renewal.

Stormwater compliance means meeting the federal, state and local regulations that govern how rainwater and snowmelt runoff is managed on your property. For most commercial, industrial and multifamily properties, compliance involves maintaining on-site stormwater infrastructure (ponds, catch basins, drainage pipes), meeting inspection requirements and keeping records that demonstrate your system is functioning correctly. The specific requirements depend on your state, municipality and the type of permit that applies to your property.

Several warning signs suggest your system may be underperforming or at risk of a compliance failure:

Visible signs on your property: Standing water after rain that takes more than 72 hours to drain; erosion channels around pond banks or drainage structures; sinkholes or depressions near underground infrastructure; discolored or odorous discharge from outfall pipes.

Record gaps: If you can’t locate your last inspection report, don’t know when your pond was last dredged, or aren’t sure whether your Operation and Maintenance Agreement is recorded with the county, those are immediate red flags.

Recent changes nearby: New upstream development, changes to neighboring impervious surfaces or road construction can increase the stormwater load on your system beyond its original design capacity.

Age of infrastructure: Most stormwater infrastructure has a design life of 20–50 years depending on materials and maintenance history. Older systems warrant more frequent inspection.

Pending property transaction: If you’re planning to sell, refinance or bring in a new tenant, it’s worth getting a professional assessment before the other party’s due diligence surfaces issues you weren’t aware of.

If any of these apply to your property, AQUALIS offers assessments to evaluate your system’s condition and compliance status before issues escalate.