Domestic Wastewater

The Domestic / Municipal Wastewater Permitting Program assures that public health and the environment are protected through regulatory oversight of domestic wastewater (sewage) treatment processes in Alaska. Our primary services are:

Issue permits to discharge treated domestic wastewater
Technical assistance on permit-related treatment options
Assistance to applicants regarding the appropriate permit for their facility
Review of permit application or Notice of Intent and issuance of appropriate permit or authorization
Technical assistance to operators to help them optimize wastewater treatment at their facility

About
General Permits
Individual Permits
Other Info

18 AAC 83.015 states that a person may not discharge pollutants from a point source into waters of the U.S. without first obtaining an Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit. Exception is provided if the discharge is authorized by an APDES or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit that continues in effect under 18 AAC 83.155. Additional exceptions are provided at 18 AAC 83.015(b). Discharges listed at 18 AAC 83.015(b) are subject to waste disposal permit requirements of AS 46.03.100 and any other state authorization.

For point source facilities discharging to waters of the U.S. either a general permit or individual permit provides coverage. A general permit covers a number of dischargers that are located in the same geographical area and warrant similar pollution control measures, are involved in the same or in substantially similar operations, discharge the same type of waste, and that require the same or similar monitoring requirements. Facility-specific authorizations are issued under a general permit to eligible facilities. Individual permits are issued to facilities that do not qualify for coverage under a specific general permit.

Applications to discharge either under a general permit or an individual permit are submitted through the Division of Water’s Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) at https://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Water/EDMS/ncore/external/home.

Contacts

Marie Klingman
Environmental Program Specialist IV
610 University Avenue
Fairbanks,AK 99709
Phone: 907-451-2101
Marie.Klingman@alaska.gov

Amber Bennett
Environmental Program Specialist III
610 University Avenue
Fairbanks,AK 99709
Phone: 907-451-2190
Amber.Bennett@alaska.gov

Earl Crapps - Section Manager
Environmental Program Manager II
555 Cordova Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 907-269-7681
Earl.Crapps@alaska.gov

AKG572000 - Small Publicly Owned Treatment Works Providing Secondary Treatment of Domestic Wastewater and Discharging to Surface Water

Coverage under this statewide general permit is limited to wastewater treatment facilities that use mechanical treatment plants to treat domestic wastewater to secondary treatment standards, have actual or design flow rates of less than 1,000,000 gallons per day, and that discharge through a discrete conveyance (i.e. outfall line, drainage ditch, channel) either directly to or within 100 feet of fresh or marine surface water.

The permit is effective January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2028. For those facilities that were authorized to discharge prior to the expiration of AKG572000, a Notice of Intent (application) for continued coverage to discharge under the general permit is due by July 5, 2028.

Wastewater treatment facilities that are seeking new coverage or for those facilities that are requesting a modification to an existing authorization, application for coverage should be submitted to the Department at least 30 days prior to the expected date of discharge.

All applications and supporting documentation should be submitted through the Division of Water’s Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) at https://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Water/EDMS/ncore/external/home.

AKG573000 - Domestic Wastewater Treatment Lagoons Discharging to Surface Water

Coverage under this statewide general permit is limited to domestic wastewater treatment lagoons providing secondary or equivalent to secondary treatment that discharge less than 1,000,000 gallons per day either directly to or within 100 feet of fresh or marine surface water. Discharge may be either on a continuous or batch discharge basis.

The permit is effective September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2028. For those lagoons that were authorized to discharge prior to the expiration of AKG573000, a Notice of Intent (application) for continued coverage to discharge under the general permit is due by March 5, 2028.

Lagoon facilities that are seeking new coverage or for those lagoon facilities that are requesting modification to an existing authorization, application for coverage should be submitted to the Department at least 30 days prior to the expected date of discharge.

All applications and supporting documentation should be submitted through the Division of Water’s Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) https://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Water/EDMS/ncore/external/home.

Individual permits are issued to facilities that do not quality for coverage under a general permit. Applicants must complete all forms that are applicable to their specific discharge (i.e. publicly owned treatment works, exiting industrial facility, process, or non-process wastewater). Additional forms are required if a facility requests a mixing zone or if it is a new or expanded discharge. Facilities are required to submit applications for reissuance at least 180 days prior to the permit’s expiration.

Engineered Wastewater Disposal System Plan Approval

18 AAC 72.200 states that except as otherwise provided in 18 AAC 72.010(c), 18 AAC 72.201, 18 AAC 72.511, or 18 AAC 72.611, in order to construct, install, modify, or operate a wastewater collection, treatment, storage, or disposal system, a person must obtain prior written approval.

Plan review, construction, and approval process steps for wastewater disposal systems are located on the Division of Water’s Engineering Support and Plan Review (ESPR) website at Engineering Support and Plan Review webpage.