Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water

Proposed Updates to Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Regulations at 18 AAC 72

The Public Comment period for this regulation is closed.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Water proposes to amend regulations in 18 AAC 72, dealing with wastewater treatment and disposal. The major items DEC is proposing includes:  

• a comprehensive restructuring and reorganization of the regulations; 
• provide industry (i.e. certified installers and engineers) the authority to provide more services under their existing certification and licensure through permit by rule; and 
• provide utilities with a process to expand their collection systems without DEC plan approval for each project.

DEC has issued a public notice and will accept public comments on the proposed regulations until February 18, 2022. DEC will hold a question and answer session followed by a public hearing from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on February 3, 2021. 

DEC has issued a supplemental public notice and will accept public comments on the proposed regulations until March 20, 2022. DEC will hold a supplemental question and answer session followed by a public hearing from 4 p.m. to 6.pm. on March 3, 2022. More information below.

DEC has issued a second supplemental public notice and will accept public comments on the proposed regulations until March 31, 2022.

DEC will be hosting a meeting to discuss public comments received during the public notice period for proposed amendments to 18 AAC 72 Wastewater Treatment and Disposal regulations. Information received during this meeting cannot be considered as part of an official response to comments, rather it will allow the Department to better understand the nature of comments received. This meeting is focused on comments related to onsite wastewater systems. The meeting is scheduled for September 29, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. hosted through Webex:

• Join from the meeting link: https://stateofalaska.webex.com/stateofalaska/j.php?MTID=mfb0ddb2ed7295233e064b3fd3ed8485a
• Join by meeting number: Meeting number (access code): 2465 305 9901 Meeting password: espr (3777 from phones)
• Join by phone 1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)

Documents and Links

• Second Supplemental Public Notice of Proposed Changes
• Supplemental Public Notice of Proposed Changes
• To attend the supplemental public hearing held on March, 3 2022 please go to: https://stateofalaska.webex.com/stateofalaska/j.php?MTID=m80012881d2e22d0593a7646245a3c715
• Meeting Agenda: The first hour will be dedicated to a public meeting with a presentation by Tonya Bear. The second hour will consist of the public hearing at which time oral public comments may be given.
• Join by meeting number
• Meeting number: 2463 465 6501
• Meeting password: ESPR
• Audio will be by phone only by calling 1-800-315-6338. Phone conference ID 76351
• Public Notice of Proposed Changes
• Proposed Amendments
• Additional Regulation Notice Information
• Crosswalk for 18 AAC 72 Regulation Amendments
• Fee Regulations Explanation for the Wastewater System Approval Amendments
• Wastewater Stakeholder Engagement Sessions Summary 2017
• March 3, 2022 18 AAC 72 Public Meeting and Hearing Presentation
• Frequently Asked Questions*

• *Updated weekly to address questions submitted to the department. FAQs will be updated until 10 days before the end of the public comment period.

Public Comments

• Public Comments