Water Quality Standards Regulations: Alaska

EPA Contact

• Rachael Renkens
  (206) 553-1580

State Program
Information

• Alaska's Water Quality Standards Program 

Presented are water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes for this state.

The EPA is posting these standards as a convenience to users and has made a reasonable effort to assure their accuracy. For each document listed under "State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes", the EPA has made a reasonable effort to identify parts of the standards that are disapproved or are otherwise not in effect for CWA purposes. Additionally, please note the documents may also contain provisions that the EPA does not have the authority and duty to act on under the Clean Water Act because the provisions are not water quality standards.

• What is a New or Revised Water Quality Standard Under CWA 303(c)(3)? - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) (108.04 KB)

• State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes
• Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes

• Water Quality Standards, Chapter 70 (2024) (pdf) (3.01 MB)
  (Effective January 8, 2026) These regulations contain additional provisions related to groundwater and enforcement discretion provisions (18 AAC 70.005, 18 AAC 70.050 (2) and 18 AAC 70.990 (28)) that are outside the scope of the federal water quality standards regulations. However, these provisions have been included here as context for the reader. Please note that certain provisions contained in this document are not effective for Clean Water Act purposes (refer to cover page for more information).
• Alaska Water Quality Criteria Manual for Toxic and Other Deleterious Organic and Inorganic Substances (pdf) (3.04 MB)
  (Effective April 14, 2023) Please note that certain provisions contained in this document are not effective for Clean Water Act purposes (refer to cover page for more information).

Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

• 40 CFR §131.36  Toxics criteria for those states not complying with Clean Water Act section 303(c)(2)(B)
• Water Quality Standards to Protect Human Health in Alaska

Selected Actions and Correspondence

Recent actions along with supporting documents are provided for reference.

• EPA Approval of Revisions to Alaska Recreational Water Quality Criteria for Fresh and Marine Water - May 12, 2017 (pdf) (703.38 KB)