On October 31, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formally approved the state’s application to administer the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. The state’s approved program is called the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) Program. Authority to administer the program is transferring to DEC in phases over three years beginning in 2008. As of November 1, 2010, authority of facilities in Phases I, II, and III have transferred to DEC. EPA retains authority of facilities in Phase IV until transfer to DEC.

Permit Application Portal

The water permit application portal provides links to permit applications for discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States (i.e. surface waters), as well as for discharges to land and subsurface. An operator of a facility that proposes to discharge to surface waters must apply for an APDES permit. If the discharge is not to surface waters (i.e. the discharge is to land or subsurface), then the operator applies for a state permit.

The type of permit or authorization required depends on the type of discharge and if the discharge is to surface waters or land. Facilities in Phases I, II, and III submit their permit applications to DEC. Facilities in Phase IV submit their permit applications to EPA Region 10.

Domestic and Municipal Wastewater - is water-borne human wastes or graywater from dwellings, commercial buildings, institutions, or similar structures. Domestic wastewater includes the contents of individual removable containers used to collect and temporarily store human wastes.

Industrial Wastewater - is a discharge from industrial or nondomestic activities.

Seafood Processing Wastewater – information and applications for obtaining seafood wastewater discharge permits.

On-Site Disposal Systems - information regarding on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems.

Wastewater Plan Review Checklists - wastewater engineering plan submittal checklist.

Temporary Camps - consolidated application for drinking water, food service, solid waste
disposal, and domestic wastewater teatment and disposal.

Name Change/Permit Transfer for Wastewater Discharge Permit - Use this form to notify DEC if the name of a facility has changed or if ownership has transfered to another party.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for please contact:

Division of Water
Department of Environmental Conservation
555 Cordova Street
Anchorage, AK 99501-2617
Telephone: 907-269-6285