Industrial Wastewater Discharge

The Industrial/Non-domestic Wastewater Section assures that public health and the environment are protected through regulatory oversight of industrial/non-domestic wastewater discharges in Alaska. Our primary services:

Issue permits to discharge treated nondomestic wastewater.
Pre-application assistance to ensure that applicant has sufficient background data to facilitate timely permitting.
Technical assistance to operators to optimize wastewater treatment.
On-site inspections for compliance assistance.

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

AKG380000 - Wastewater Discharges from Drinking Water Treatment Facilities

This statewide general permit provides coverage for backwash water or reject water from drinking water treatment facilities that discharge to fresh or marine surface water. Potable water and conditioning operations eligible for coverage include conventional/direct treatment systems, membrane filters, and ion exchange systems. Discharge from other treatment systems not specifically listed as eligible for coverage under this general permit that can meet the requirements of the general permit may also be eligible for coverage upon Department approval.

The permit is effective October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2029. For those facilities that were authorized to discharge prior to the expiration of AKG380000, a Notice of Intent (application) for continued coverage to discharge under the general permit is due by April 4, 2029.

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.

AKG250000 - Non-contact Cooling Water

This statewide general permit provides coverage for the discharge of non-contact cooling water, defrost water, heat pump transfer water, and cooling tower blowdown for facilities with design intake and discharge flow of less than 2.0 million gallons per day to fresh or marine surface water.

The permit is effective September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025. For those facilities that were authorized to discharge prior to the expiration of AKG250000, a Notice of Intent (application) for continued coverage to discharge under the general permit is due by March 4, 2025.

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.