Public Notice: Proposed Permit for Ketchikan Charcoal Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in Alaska
Summary
EPA is proposing to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to the city of Ketchikan's Charcoal Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in Alaska.
The city of Ketchikan owns and operates the wastewater treatment plant, a publicly-owned treatment works serving the population of Ketchikan, Alaska. The treatment plant discharges primary treated effluent to Tongass Narrows under a Clean Water Act Section 301(h)-modified NPDES permit.
EPA retains jurisdiction over 301(h)-modified permits in the state of Alaska because that portion of the NPDES program may not be delegated to the state.
The city of Ketchikan has requested that EPA renew the wastewater treatment plant's variance from the secondary treatment requirements contained in Section 301(b)(1)(B) of the Clean Water Act, and to reissue its 301(h)-modified NPDES permit.
Applicant
City of Ketchikan – Charcoal Point Wastewater Treatment Plant
3921 Tongass Avenue
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
NPDES permit number: AK0021440
301(h) Tentative Decision
The EPA Region 10 Regional Administrator has tentatively decided to renew the Charcoal Point Wastewater Treatment Plant’s variance from secondary treatment requirements in accordance with the terms, conditions, and limitations of the draft 301(h)-modified NPDES permit. EPA's 301(h) Tentative Decision is available for review and comment (see "related documents" below).
Water quality certification
EPA may not issue a permit until the state of Alaska through its Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) grants or waives a certification in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
ADEC is accepting comments on EPA’s request for 401 certification and on ADEC's draft certification (see "Appendix G - Antidegradation Form (2G) and draft 401 Certification" in the NPDES Permit Fact Sheet below).
To comment on ADEC's proposed certification, submit comments by email to Marie Klingman (marie.klingman@alaska.gov) on or before May 30, 2025.
For questions regarding ADEC's draft 401 certification, contact Marie Klingman at 907-451-2101 or marie.klingman@alaska.gov.
EPA will not issue a permit until ADEC has granted or waived certification.
Neighboring jurisdictions
Section 401(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act requires that EPA, as the permitting authority, shall notify a neighboring state or Tribe with Treatment as a State when EPA determines that the discharge may affect the quality of the neighboring state or Tribe’s waters.
As stated above, ADEC is the certifying authority and is accepting comments on the draft Clean Water Act Section 401 certification. After EPA receives final certification from ADEC, we will determine whether the discharge may affect the quality of a neighboring jurisdiction’s water.
Related documents
Copies of EPA's draft permit, 301(h) Tentative Decision, and other supporting documents are available below:
- Draft NPDES Permit, Ketchikan Charcoal Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, #AK0021440 (pdf)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Ketchikan Charcoal Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, #AK0021440 (pdf)
- 301(h) Tentative Decision Document, Ketchikan Charcoal Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, #AK0021440 (pdf)
- Mixing Zone Dilution Modeling for Six Alaska POTWs (pdf)
- Frequent Questions About 301(h) Facilities in Southeast Alaska (pdf)
A copy of the facility's current permit is also available. Other information, including the application and all data submitted by the applicant, all documents cited in the fact sheet, and other supporting documents may be requested by contacting Jamey Stoddard (stoddard.jamey@epa.gov), 206-553-6110.