The Drinking Water and Wastewater Program is responsible for ensuring that water supplied for public consumption meets minimum health standards, including those of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Alaska has had primary enforcement responsibility of the federal program since 1978. Engineers and specialist staff provide guidance on the design, installation and maintenance of drinking water, wastewater, and other related facilities. They review project descriptions and plans for new and modified systems to ensure that appropriate standards are met to protect human health and minimize environmental degradation. Staff also provide access to office files on local public drinking water and wastewater systems, as well as technical assistance and workshops on regulatory, engineering and public health-related issues.
Primary services Ensure that suppliers test drinking water as required for regulated contaminants.
Review contaminant monitoring test results from public water suppliers and specify corrective measures where contamination is indicated. Approve new public water and wastewater systems and modifications to existing ones, and provide design assistance and training for certified installers of on-lot septic systems. Implement a rural drinking water compliance strategy to assist rural Alaska water systems in providing cost-effective safe drinking water. Respond to complaints of contaminated or damaged drinking water wells and impacted watersheds. Maintain a statewide database with monitoring, compliance, and enforcement information on public drinking water systems.