External Links

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC)
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) is the primary compliance and enforcement agency that ensures AWWU complies with drinking water regulations and standards. ADEC certifies AWWU’s operators to work in the areas of water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment.

ADEC issues and enforces the wastewater permits for Eagle River and Girdwood Wastewater Treatment Facilities and the Air Quality Operating Permit for the Asplund Biosolids Incinerator.
Alaska Operator Certification
The Operator Training and Certification Program develops training programs, administers examinations and certifies operators of community water and wastewater systems.
Green Star
AWWU supports Green Star, a USEPA-award-winning organization established to recognize businesses and organizations that voluntarily meet and exceed Green Star's high standards of environmental responsibility.
Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure
Provocative and informing, Liquid Assets informs the public about the deteriorating condition of the United States' water infrastructure. Liquid Assets explores the history, engineering, political and economic challenges of our water infrastructure, and seeks to provide communities with information on public water and wastewater issues about the critical role our water infrastructure plays in protecting the public health and promoting economic prosperity. Click here to view a 16 minute overview of this award winning documentary produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting.
Municipality of Anchorage
Access the official Municipality of Anchorage website to obtain a wide range of information from various Government Departments, Visitor Information, Information of interest to residents in the Anchorage bowl, Online Services, Business/Economy, Most Requested links etc.
Only Tap Water Delivers
Only Tap Water Delivers is a grassroots and media campaign to help utilities and public officials communicate the value of tap water service and the need to reinvest in water infrastructure to consumers, media and other stakeholders.
Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA)
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) must approve all rates charged to Utility customers. RCA also reviews AWWU's internal costs, operations and management practices. For inquiries or assistance with disputes with AWWU, customers should call 276-6222. If you live outside of Anchorage, call RCA's toll-free hot line, 1-800-390-2782.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rather than ADEC, issues and enforces the wastewater permit for Anchorage’s John M. Asplund Wastewater Treatment Facility due to the 301(h) variance. The EPA establishes national public drinking water standards and national water quality criteria. AWWU meets or exceeds all relevant drinking water and wastewater standards.
Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF)
The Water Environment Research Foundation, formed in 1989, is America’s leading independent scientific research organization dedicated to wastewater and stormwater issues – managing nearly 400 research projects, valued at more than $85 million.

What makes WERF research stand out within the water quality community? In a word: results.
  • Results that provide value to our subscribers
  • Results that transmit reliable information as quickly as possible – without cutting scientific corners
  • Results that spur the next generation of science and technology


    • They are a nonprofit organization that operates with funding from subscribers and the federal government. Subscribers include wastewater treatment plants, stormwater utilities, and regulatory agencies. Industry, equipment companies, engineers and environmental consultants also lend their support and expertise as subscribers.

    WERF takes a progressive approach to research, stressing collaboration among teams of subscribers, environmental professionals, scientists, and staff. All research is peer reviewed by leading experts.
    Water Is Life, and Infrastructure Makes It HappenTM
    A program designed to educate ratepayers, local leaders and the media about the value of water infrastructure and the importance of investing in its long-term stability. Water Is Life is designed to assist utilities and community organizations to build public support for the investment in water infrastructure.