engineering faq

Engineering Frequently Asked Questions

Is a pdf version of up-to-date Alaska Drinking Water regulations available?: Yes, please visit our Drinking Water Regulations page.
Where do I look for general plan review requirements?: Article 2 (18 AAC 80.200 through 18 AAC 80.210) discusses general plan review requirements.
I recently submitted for final approval to operate. When will final approval to operate be issued and what do I need to do about the interim operation period that will expire soon?: When the final approval to operate request is received prior to the interim operation expiration date, the interim approval to operate will be administratively extended until we issue the final approval to operate. This is an automatic extension and will remain in effect without further action by you. The record drawing plan review will result in either (a) letter granting final approval to operate and a completed certificate, or (b) correspondence requesting further information. If further information is requested, it should be submitted within the stated time period for the interim operation approval to remain in effect. Should you require a formal certification of the extension of interim operation approval, contact the plan reviewer for your project. Please note that prior to and during the busy spring and summer construction seasons, record drawing reviews are a lower priority and the review time may take longer.
Now that the Class C regulations have been rescinded, how many users can my water system serve before it is regulated?: A water system must regularly serve at least 25 individuals each day for at least 60 days of the year in order to be classified as a public water system.
Since my system classification is changing to NTNC, I am being required to fill out the Managerial and Financial Assessment Application, but I don’t see how it applies to me since I don’t charge fees and am not a "water utility.": The information provided is important and necessary to ensure long-term sustainability of the water system and its ability to supply safe drinking water to its customers. The Federal government requires us to, "ensure that all new community water systems and non-transient, non-community water systems commencing operations after October 1, 1999, demonstrate technical, managerial, and financial capacity with respect to each national primary drinking water regulation in effect, or likely to be in effect, on the date of commencement of operations.” These requirements were created under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1996 and allows federal funds to be distributed to our state for drinking water projects.
The Management and Financial Assessment, available on our website, may help you to organize the submittal.
Do I need prior written Department approval to drill a new well for my public water system?: Yes, Alaska Drinking Water regulations require Department review and approval of plans signed and sealed by an engineer prior to constructing any part of a public water system. This is to ensure that proper planning has occurred and that the improvements are constructed in a manner conforming to regulations and will be able to safely supply drinking water to people and obtain the required approval to operate.
In the past, wells have been constructed without prior Department approval and were not able to be approved for operation due to either improper or unknown construction, separation distance issues, or other factors.
How do I find out what the minimum requirements are for well construction?: 18 AAC 80.015 deals with general minimum well construction requirements.
Where are minimum separation distances listed?: 18 AAC 80.020 deals with minimum separation distances. It also discusses requirements and conditions when minimum separation distances can be waived or increased.
Drinking Water regulations require submittal of a well log. What information is necessary in a well log?: 18 AAC 210(h) outlines minimum requirements for well logs.
How do I assure the well for my public water system is properly constructed?: Your engineer, in cooperation with the well driller, should ensure proper well construction and development.
Does the Drinking Water Program keep a list of state certified well drillers?: Currently, the State of Alaska does not require well drillers to be certified, nor does it endorse certification by another entity. However, some well drillers have become certified through the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). The Association maintains a list of certified drillers on their website .
Why do I need to submit an engineer’s report for a distribution extension?: Before an approval to construct can be issued, the condition and impacts to the existing system must be evaluated.
Is there any guidance available for what an engineer’s report should include?: Yes the Recommended Standards for Water Works (Ten States’ Standards), details standards for plan submission including the engineer’s report, plans, and both general and specific design considerations of all phases for work relating to drinking water systems.
How do I determine the classification of my public water system?: DEC will classify your system per 18 AAC 80. Submit a classification form to the reviewing office. The classification form can either be in Water System Classification Form: Adobe PDF or Water System Classification Form: MS Word version.
I have a private catchment water system and the water tastes funny. What can I do?: Information on the care and upkeep of your private water system can be found in the private water systems best management practices guide.
Is there a minimum depth for drinking water wells in Alaska?: A minimum well depth is not a requirement; however, shallow wells may require treatment. The department uses well depth as one of the criteria for determining source vulnerability to fecal and microbial contamination. Generally speaking, a well may be evaluated for influence of surface water when the depth of the first opening is 50 feet below ground surface or less. Conditions other than well depth may also prompt an evaluation.
Do separation distances apply to above-ground water mains?: Yes, separation distances apply to underground and above-ground water mains.
How does the Drinking Water Program regulate a source of water for a bottling operation?: We classify the drinking water system that serves the bottling facility based on the population served at that place of business. The water that goes to the bottling plant is the “product,” regulated by FS&S/FDA, and the customers are not included in the population served.