| ALASKA
Other States: Contact: Mr. David Johnson, P.E., Program Coordinator or: Dr. James Weise, Program Manager Alaska Constitutions, Statutes and Codes Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
Regulations Onsite regulations for Alaska were last updated on August 21, 1997. However, this chapter has been recently revised and is currently being reviewed by the attorney general prior to adoption. Final adoption should occur in late 1998 or early 1999, for the phase 1 regulations revision. The chapter was re-titled "Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Regulations" and was completely reorganized. The only significant regulatory change involved setting a threshold value of 500 gallons per day for commercial on-site systems for plan submittal and approval. A second phase of regulation revision is slated to begin in early 1999, concentrating on incorporating technical changes to the regulations. Issues such as sand filter/liner requirements for onsite systems in coarse soils; approval criteria/methods for individual treatment plants; determining when nitrate studies for larger systems will be required; and changes to the current certified onsite system installer program, will be addressed. A target date for completing phase 2 of the regulation revision has not been set. Performance based standards will be considered during phase 2 of regulation revisions. Aerobic treatment plants are specifically addressed in current regulations. Aerobic treatment units (ATUs) are required to meet or exceed NSF Standard 40 before facility plans can be approved. Alternate soil absorption systems include all other onsite systems except conventional. Current regulations require alternate onsite systems to be designed by an engineer, even those serving single family residences. Gravelless/chambered conventional systems serving single family and duplex applications, under current regulations, are considered alternate type systems and as such, require prior plan approval. Regulation changes expected to become effective during phase 1, will allow these types of onsite systems to be installed by certified installers and/or engineers without prior plan approval, on a performance based specification. Other technologies will be considered during phase 2 of the regulations revisions. Phase 1 revisions include a provision for a technology review group that will review and make recommendations to the department if an alternative technology should be tried, and will establish the conditions under which that trial should occur. Current regulations require formation of a group responsible for operation and maintenance of a community system. Currently, Alaska does not have any requirement for on-going maintenance for individual onsite systems. Phase 2 of the regulation revision will address the issue of on-going maintenance for individual package (treatment) plants. No funding or assistance programs for system replacement or installation are available through the department; therefore, the homeowner is solely responsible for replacement of a failing system or the installation of a new system. Certification and license programs for contractors, installers, and inspectors are administered by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). Alaska also currently has a provision to allow homeowners to install onsite wastewater systems serving their own home or owner-occupied duplex if they attend a 4 hour training session sponsored by the ADEC. For further information, contact Mr. David Johnson with ADEC, at (907) 376-5038; or DJohnson@envircon.state.ak.us Mr. Paul Pinard at PPinard@envircon.state.ak.us with
ADEC can be contacted concerning demonstration, research, and testing of peat filter
projects in Alaska. Mr. Keven Kleweno at KKleweno@envircon.state.ak.us with ADEC can
be contacted concerning demonstration, research, and testing of recirculating sand filter
projects in Alaska. |