Water Quality Standards

Antidegradation Conference:

Conference on Antidegradation Policy, Anchorage, December 2-3, 2009

Recent Actions :

On September 17, 2009 USEPA Region 10 approved revisions to Alaska's water quality criteria. This approval included the September 19, 2009 Alaska Water Quality Standards (18 AAC 70) and the December 12, 2008 Toxics Manual , which was adopted by reference within the WQS.

EPA Approval Letter (September 17, 2009)

The notable exceptions to this approval (where State approved standards differ from Federally approved standards) can be found in the Comparison of State and Federally Approved Water Quality Standards document.

Regulations and Guidance:

Water Quality Criteria are generally contained in two documents: (1) Water Quality Standards and (2) Water Quality Criteria Manual for Toxics that is adopted by reference as listed below:

Water Quality Criteria Documents:

1. Water Quality Standards:
   • 2009 Water Quality Standards (September 19, 2009)
   • Historic 18 AAC 70 WQS - Previous versions of Alaska's Water Quality Standards (some of which are still in effect for CWA purposes)
   • 2008 Version of WQS
   • 2006 Version of WQS
   • 2003 Version of WQS
   • 1999 Version of WQS
2. Water Quality Criteria Manual for Toxics (December 12, 2008)

Guidance:

• Natural Condition Guidance
• Mixing Zone Guidance

We want people to have easy access to the regulations, proposed revisions, fact sheets, technical papers, and issues that may be of interest. The links on the right include a great deal of WQS information, along with information about the Triennial Review and BEACH Grant Initiatives.

What Water Quality Standards Apply and When:

Comparison of State and Federally Approved Water Quality Standards

What We Do:

• Evaluate and revise Alaska's Water Quality Standards based on science.
• Explain the Water Quality Standards and how they are used.
• Provide easy access to water quality standards related documents, including the regulations, proposed revisions, fact sheets, technical papers, guidance documents and issues that may be of interest

Note: For questions about Drinking Water, please contact the Division of Environmental Health, Drinking Water Programs.