United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/5-88-032
September 1988
State Water Quality
Standards  Summary:
Alaska

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                            DISCLAIMER

      This  publication was prepared by Battelle under  contract  to
the   U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency (Contract   68-03-3534).
Secondary  information sources were used to compile data presented
in this  document.   Each State was given an opportunity to   review
and provide  comments on a draft of this information document    In
no  event  shall  either the United States or  Battelle  have   any
responsibility or liability for any use, misuse, or reliance  upon
the   information   contained herein, nor does  either  warrant  or
otherwise  represent in any way the accuracy, adequacy,  efficacy
or applicability  of the contents hereof.

      The  reader  should consult the water quality standards of a
particular State  for exact regulatory language applicable to  that
State.   Copies of State water quality standards may  be  obtained
from   the  State's  Water  Pollution  Control  Agency   or    its
equivalent.

      Additional information may also be obtained from the:

                         Standards Branch
             Criteria and Standards Division (WH-585)
             Office of Water Regulations and Standards
               U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency
                      Washington,  D.C.   20460
                           202-475-7315
     This document may be obtained only from the National Technical
Information Service (NTIS) at the following address:

                National Technical Information Service
                       5285 Front Royal Road
                    Springfield, Virginia 22161
                         703-487-4650

     The NTIS order number is:  PB89-141642	

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                                         ALASKA
 Responsible  Agency:
  Alaska Departient of Environmental Conservation
  Div. of Environ. Quality Management
  Pouch 0
  Juneau
  907-465-2640
       99811
 Standards   Available   From
  Alaska Dept. of Environiental Conservation
  Pouch 0
                                      State  Contact:
                                       Mr, Dan       Easton
                                       Manager
                                       Hater Pollution Control Program
                                       Alaska Dept, of Environ. Conservation
                                       Pouch 0
                                       Juneau '  •            99811       907-465-2653

                                      State  Contact:
  Juneau
  907-465-2653
Fee:
 99811
none
Mailing List:  yes
 State   Narrative   Language   For:   Antidegradation
  (a!   No person tay conduct an  operation  which causes or contributes  to  a  violation  of  the water quality
  standards  established  by this  chapter.
  (b)   The water quality standards  set by  this  chapter apply to  human  activities  which result in alterations to
  waters  within  the jurisdiction of the state,   The water quality  standards established  by this chapter consti-
  tute the degree of degradation which may  not be  exceeded  in a water body.
  (c)   Waters with natural  characteristics  of  higher  quality than the water quality  criteria for the uses set
  out  in  18  AAC  70.020 Bust be kept at the  existing quality, except where  an applicant  for a penit issued or
  certified  under 18 AAC 15,  a short-term  variance  issued under  18 AAC 70.015, or a reclassification granted
  under 18 AAC 70.055 shows to the  department's satisfaction that:
  1.   Reducing water quality  is  justified  because of necessary economic or  social development;
  2.   Reducing water quality  will not   harm  present or potential uses  of  the waters;  and
  3.   All  wastes and other substances  to be  discharged will  be treated  using the  methods found by the department
  to be iost  effective.
  (•d)   Ha  person may discharge or cause the  discharge  of  any waste  or  substance into  waters within the jurisdic-
  tion  of  the state  without  first  treating  and  controlling  the  discharge to ensure that the quality of the
  Deceiving water does not violate  the water quality standards set  by  this  chapter.
  (e)   The department will, in its  discretion,  issue a compliance  order for activities or sources of waste or
  substances  in  existence  on  December  19,  1982  that  cause  a  violation  of  the  water quality standards set by
  this  chapter.   The cospiiance  order   tust  provide  a  detailed plan to  bring the  activity into compliance with
  this  section.
   9
State   Narrative  Language  For:  Toxics
 Shall not exceed Alaska  Drinking  Hater Standards or  EPA  Quality Criteria  for Hater as applciable to the
 substance.

State   Narrative  Language  For:  Free   From
 Petroleum hydrocarbons,  oils and  grease  shall not  cause  a visible sheen upon  the surface of the water.   Also,
 they  shall  not exceed concentrations which individually  or in combination  impart odor or taste as deterained
 by organoleptic  tests.
 Floating solids, debris, sludge,  deposits, foaa, and scum shall not alone or in combination  with other
 substances  or wastes make water unfit  or unsafe for use, cause a film,  sheen,  or discoloration on the surface
 of the water or adjoining shoreline, cause beaching of toxic or deleterious substances, or cause a sludge,
 solid eaulsion  to  be deposited  beneath or upon the surface of the water within  the water column on the bottom
 or upon  adjoining shorelines.

State  Narrative   Language  For:  Mixing   Zones
 (a)   In  applying the water quality criteria of 18 AAC 70.020,  the department (Alaska Dept.  of  Environmental
 Conservation) will, in  its discretion, prescribe its  permits or certifications   a volume of  dilution  for an
                                               AK-1

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                                        ALASKA
effluent or  substance within  a   receiving  Hater.  Hater quality standards lay  be exceeded within this fixing
zone.   However  the standards must be let  at every point outside  its  boundaries.  The department Kill not
allow sixing zones if;
(1)  There is significant potential  for adverse environaental or health effects due to discharge of a
substance that bioaccuaulates in  food chains; concentrates in sediaents, or is persistent, carcinogenic,
sutagenic or teratogenic, or
(2)  Other potential environmental or health effects are so adverse that a iixing zone is not appropriate.  A
aixing zone will be granted only  after the applicant has shown to the departient's satisfaction that wastes or
substances that say exceed the water quality criteria liaits will be treated using iethods found by the
departsent to be lost effective.
(b)  The department will, in  its discretion, establish effluent liiitation requirements in its wastwater
disposal peraits in lieu of or in addition to a defined aixing zone.
(c)  No individual aixing zone or coibination of aixing zones will be permitted to fora a barrier to the
cigratory routes of aquatic species.
(d)  Unless it is desonstrated to the satisfaction of the department, in accordance with (e)  of this section,
that the size limitations can be increased, mixing zones will be as small as practiable.
(e)  A person conducting an operation for which a aixing zone is sought or required by the departient shall
subiit to the departaent all  information necessary for assignment of a aixing zone.
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                                         ALASKA
 Classifications
  Drinking,  Culinary
  and  Food Processing
  Fresh Kater .
  Agricultural
  Fresh  Water
  Includes  irrigation  and  stock  watering.
 Aquaculture
 Fresh Hater

 Industrial
 Fresh Hater
 Contact Recreation
 Fresh Mater

 Secondary Recreation
 Fresh Hater
 Includes any Hater supply used in association tilth a sanufacturing or production
 enterprise (other than food processing) including lining, placer sining, energy
 production or development.
 Fish and Wildlife
 Fresh Water
 Aquaculture
 Marine Waters

 Seafood Processing
 Marine Waters

 Industrial
 Marine Waters
Contact Recreation
Marine Hater

Secondary Recreation
Marine Waters

Fish and Wildlife
Marine Waters
Shellfish Harvesting
Marine Haters
 Browth and propagation of fish, shellfish and other aquatic life,  and wildlife
 including waterfowl and furbearers.
 lAbbreviated naie for this designated use.
 Includes  any tiater  supply  used  in association with a ianufacturing or production
 enterprise  {other than  food  processing)  including iining, placer lining, energy
 production  or development.
Browth and Propagation of fish, shellfish and other aquatic life, and wildlife
including seabirds, waterfowl and furbearers.
lAbbreviated naie for this designated use.

Harvesting for consueption of raw lollusks or other aquatic life.
                                              AK-3

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                                                  ALASKA
                                           All
                                           Classes
  Drinking, Culin..  Agricultural        Aquaculture
  Physical
      PH
           Upper Value
           LoHer Value
           Secondary  Upper Liiit
      Dissolved  Oxygen
           Lower Value
      Teiperature
           Upper  Value
      Turbidity
           Upper Value
     Chlorides
          Upper Value
     Sulfates
          Upper Value
     Total Dissolved  Solids
          Upper Value

 Nutrients

 Toxic Metals

Pesticides

Organics

Bacteria
    Fecal Colifon
         Upper Value
         Secondary Upper Liait
B.5
6.0
4
15
Narr.
200
200
500

sg/L
C

•g/L
•g/L
•g/L
9-0 8.5
5.0 6,5
8.5
3 ag/L
30 C 20 C
Narr. narr.


1000 ig/L 1500 in
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
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                                                     AK-4

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                                                 ALASKA
                                          Industrial
                    Contact Recreat..  Secondary Recre..   Fish  and  Nildli.
 Physical
     pH
          Upper Value
          Loner Value
     Dissolved Oxygen
       .   Upper Value
          Lower Value
     Teaperature
          Upper Value
     Turbidity
          Upper Value
     Total Dissolved  Solids
          Upper Value

Nutrients

Toxic Metals

Pesticides

Organics

Bacteria
    Fecal Colifora
         Upper Value
         Secondary Upper Liiit
9.0
5.0
Narr,
25 C
Narr.
Narr.
8.5
6.5
•g/L
4 ig/L
30 C
Narr.

9.0
5.0
•g/L
4 ig/L

Narr.

9.0
6.5
17
5
20
Narr.
1500

•g/L
•g/L
C

•g/L
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
                                                      AK-5

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                                                ALASKA
                                         Aquaculture  '      Seafood Process..  Industrial
                                                         Contact fiecreat.
 Physical
     PH
          Upper Value
          Loner Value
     Dissolved Oxygen
          Loner Value
     Teiperature
          Upper Value
     Teiperature Change
          Upper Value
          Secondary Upper Liiit
     Turbidity
          Upper Value
     Total Dissolved Solids
          Upper Value

Nutrients

Toxic Hetals

Pesticides

Organics

Bacteria
    Fecal Colifon
         Upper Value
         Secondary Upper Licit
 8.5
 6.5

 7
1
0.5
ag/L
25     NTU

1500   §g/L
            8.5
            6.0
                   15     C
            Narr.
9.0
5.0
25




Narr.

Narr.
 8,5
 6.5
                                                 25     NTU
Narr.
Narr.
           Narr.
           Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
                                                      AK-6

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                                                ALASKA
                                         Secondary Recre.,  Fish and Hildli..  Shellfish Harve.
Physical
    PH
         Upper Value
         Loner Value
    Temperature Change
         Upper Value
         Secondary Upper Liiit
    Turbidity
         Upper Value
    Total Dissolved Solids
         Upper Value

Nutrients

Toxic Metals

Pesticides

Organics

Bacteria
    Fecal Colifori
         Upper Value
         Secondary Upper Licit
9.0
5.0

25 KtU

8.5
6.5
1
0.5
Narr.
1500

C
C

•g/L
8.5
6.0
1
0.5
Narr.


C
C


Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
                                                       AK-7

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