Performance Details

Department of Environmental Conservation - Environmental Health

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Mission

Provide Alaskans with clear standards so that they can protect our environment and provide safe food and drinking water.

Core Services

• Achieve environmental protection by requiring appropriate management of Alaska"s landfills and safe pesticide use.
• Protect public health with regulated food, seafood, and public facilities.
• Provide laboratory testing services, analytical and technical information for assessment of risks to public health, welfare, and the environment.
• Verify safe drinking water and compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

Mission Results	Core Services
A: Achieve environmental protection by requiring appropriate management of Alaska"s landfills and safe pesticide use. Details >	A1: Achieve environmental protection by requiring appropriate management of Alaska"s landfills and safe pesticide use. Details > TARGET #1: All municipal solid waste facilities are authorized by the Department of Environmental Conservation. TARGET #2: Class III village landfills inspected have an average inspection score of 80% or greater using the Waste Index inspection form.
Mission Results	Core Services
B: Protect public health with regulated food, seafood, and public facilities. Details >	B1: Protect public health with regulated food, seafood, and public facilities. Details > TARGET #1: 35 percent of regulated entities are inspected at least once each fiscal year TARGET #2: All complaints alleging foodborne illness are investigated within one business day of receipt
Mission Results	Core Services
C: Provide laboratory testing services, analytical and technical information for assessment of risks to public health, welfare, and the environment. Details >	C1: Provide laboratory testing services, analytical and technical information for assessment of risks to public health, welfare, and the environment. Details > TARGET #1: All requested tests for chemical and biological animal diseases and environmental toxins are completed. TARGET #2: All acceptable sample requests are completed on-time within project parameters. TARGET #3: All livestock and poultry entering Alaska have current health permits.
Mission Results	Core Services
D: Verify safe drinking water and compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. Details >	D1: Verify safe drinking water and compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. Details > TARGET #1: All Alaskans served by a public water system are served by systems in compliance with health-based standards. TARGET #2: All public water systems submit required sanitary surveys according to their designated schedule.

Performance Detail

Target #1: All municipal solid waste facilities are authorized by the Department of Environmental Conservation. Methodology: The measure is calculated by dividing the number of authorized landfills in each classification by the total number of landfills in each classification. The data for this measure is pulled from the Solid Waste Program database Analysis of results and challenges: Municipal landfills in Alaska are classified based on the average daily volume of solid waste received. Class I landfills receive more than 20 tons per day, Class II landfills receive between five and 20 tons per day, and Class III landfills receive less than five tons per day. In FY2025, Alaska had nine Class I, 13 Class II, and 184 Class III municipal landfills. All municipal landfills must operate under a permit or authorization issued by the department. The permitting process ensures that landfill design, construction, and operations meet state and federal regulatory standards. In FY2025, 100 percent of Class I and Class II landfills, and 92 percent of Class III landfills operated under a valid permit or authorization issued by the division`s Solid Waste Program. Class III landfills remain a primary focus of the Solid Waste Program. Since 2011, the statewide permitting rate for these facilities has increased from 33 percent to 92 percent, reflecting sustained collaboration with rural communities, tribal governments, and municipal staff to strengthen local capacity and improve landfill management practices. The division continues to engage with unpermitted Class III sites to help communities achieve compliance and maintain safe, sustainable solid waste management systems. Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Target #2: Class III village landfills inspected have an average inspection score of 80% or greater using the Waste Index inspection form. Methodology: The measure is calculated by dividing the total percentage score for inspections conducted in the given fiscal year by the number of inspections performed. Totals are queried from the Solid Waste Information Management System (SWIMS) database. Analysis of results and challenges: Class III community landfills accept less than five tons of solid waste per day and are typically located in small, remote communities that face unique regulatory and compliance challenges. For more than a decade, the division`s Solid Waste Program has provided technical assistance to help these communities obtain permits and improve landfill operations despite the logistical and environmental constraints they face. Inspections are the primary tool for evaluating compliance and offering on-site technical assistance. Class III landfills are evaluated using the Waste Index Inspection Form, which tracks 36 categories related to landfill operations. Each category is scored according to incremental performance levels, allowing inspectors to consistently assess management practices while providing operators with clear guidance on steps to improve compliance. The division aims to inspect Class III landfills on a three-year cycle. Travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily extended that cycle, but inspection activity has since returned to pre-pandemic levels. In FY2025, 55 Class III landfill inspections were completed, reducing the average inspection cycle to five years, an improvement from six years in FY2024. Average Waste Index scores for the 55 facilities showed less than a one-percent change from their previous inspection results. As the department continues to move toward a three-year inspection frequency, scores are expected to improve further, reflecting the value of consistent, in-person technical assistance provided during site visits. Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Target #1: 35 percent of regulated entities are inspected at least once each fiscal year Methodology: Inspection counts by inspection reason as reported in the Food Safety and Sanitation Program"s USA Food Safety database. The percentage of facilities inspected is calculated by dividing the number of permitted food and public facilities inspected at least once by the total number of active permits. Routine inspections include inspections conducted under contract with the FDA. Analysis of results and challenges: In FY2025, the division broadened this performance measure to include all regulated food, seafood, and public facilities, rather than focusing solely on food manufacturers as in prior years. This change provides a more comprehensive representation of the Food Safety and Sanitation (FSS) Program`s oversight activities and where they exist, aligns with federal performance standards that emphasize risk-based inspection across all regulated entities. During FY2025, Alaska had 7,222 active permits, including 4,898 retail food, 432 manufactured food, 541 seafood, 376 shellfish, 106 pools and spas, and 138 body art facilities, with an additional 731 temporary food service permits issued. Overall, 26 percent of all permitted facilities were inspected at least once. The target of 35 percent reflects the FSS Program`s focus on maintaining a risk-based inspection approach. Inspections are a primary tool for verifying compliance and providing technical assistance to regulated establishments. The FSS Program applies a risk-based framework that considers food preparation complexity, types of food served, customer volume, and whether an establishment serves a highly susceptible population. Inspection frequency also accounts for complaint history, previous inspection results, and community-specific factors such as population size and geographic accessibility. For food manufacturers, priority is given to facilities on the Food and Drug Administration contract list, those identified as high-risk, and those requiring follow-up due to complaints or illness investigations. Through this risk-based approach, the division focuses inspection efforts on higher-risk operations to ensure public health protection while maintaining alignment with national food safety standards. The FSS Program remains committed to high-quality inspections, timely follow-up, and technical assistance that support safe food production and service across Alaska. Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Target #2: All complaints alleging foodborne illness are investigated within one business day of receipt Methodology: Complaints are recorded in the Food Safety and Sanitation Program`s USA Food Safety database. The percentage of complaints with contact attempted is calculated by dividing the number of complaints with documented contact attempts by the total number of complaints that included contact information. The percentage of contacts initiated within one business day reflects complaints where contact was attempted on the day of receipt or the following calendar day. On average, contact was attempted 1.2 days after receipt of the complaint. Analysis of results and challenges: This measure replaces several prior metrics that separately tracked inspection frequency, food worker certification, and control of foodborne illness risk factors. The updated measure provides a clearer and more immediate indicator of the department`s responsiveness to potential foodborne illness threats. Emphasizing timely complaint investigation aligns with national best practices under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration`s Retail Food and Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards as well as the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Model Ordinance, which promotes rapid response and effective surveillance as core components of an integrated food safety system. Public complaints play a vital role in Alaska`s food safety oversight. The Food Safety and Sanitation (FSS) Program provides multiple reporting channels for Alaskans to share food safety concerns, including the “Yuck Line,” online forms, email, mail, and referrals through partner agencies, ensuring that information is captured quickly and consistently. Even when individual illness complaints cannot confirm a direct link to a facility, these reports supply valuable data that help the program identify emerging risks and prevent broader outbreaks. In FY2025, the FSS Program received 68 illness complaints, most of which identified a permitted facility and allowed for direct follow-up. Staff initiated 39 follow-ups and completed 16 detailed food histories, reinforcing the department`s commitment to early detection and consumer protection. By maintaining timely and consistent responses to complaints, the department enhances its ability to prevent foodborne illness, focus inspection resources where risks are greatest, and maintain public confidence in Alaska`s food safety system. Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Target #1: All requested tests for chemical and biological animal diseases and environmental toxins are completed. Methodology: Tests completed by the Environmental Health Laboratory in response to requests from customers in a fiscal year. Analysis of results and challenges: The goal of the division`s Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) is to provide accurate, timely, and reliable results for 100 percent of acceptable requests received. In FY2025, the laboratory successfully completed analysis on 76 percent of submitted work, representing a significant increase in total test volume and analytical scope. A total of 35,905 tests were requested, a 24 percent increase from the prior year. The food and water testing area experienced the largest growth, including implementation of a testing method for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water late in the fiscal year. Workload expansion has been steady as EHL`s service menu and technical capabilities have grown. FY2025 testing volume was approximately double that of FY2021, reflecting new federal project partnerships and an increased demand for chemical and biological testing in support of public and environmental health programs. The laboratory performed 262 distinct analytical method and matrix combinations during the year, including 32 new offerings developed or validated in response to emerging needs. Overall, the EHL continues to expand analytical capacity, strengthen cross-divisional support, and provide data that informs public health decisions across Alaska. Related links: Division of Environmental Health Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Target #2: All acceptable sample requests are completed on-time within project parameters. Methodology: The on-time performance for work order reporting is pulled from the LIMS by month and collated for a yearly percent. Analysis of results and challenges: The Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) uses a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to manage and track all sample submissions, ensuring accurate processing, traceability, and timely delivery of analytical results. The system supports efficient coordination across multiple testing programs and provides technical data essential to assessing risks to public health, welfare, and the environment. Turnaround time for laboratory analyses varies by project scope, customer need, and balancing workload. The EHL works closely with customers to set realistic timelines and prioritize urgent public health needs, maintaining flexibility in response to varying analytical demands. In FY2025, the laboratory achieved an average on-time completion rate of 97.1 percent, with monthly performance ranging from 91.9 percent to 100 percent. Despite a growing workload, including management of more than 7,000 samples, nearly 29,000 tests, and 1,500 analytical reports, the EHL maintained strong turnaround performance. Success was supported by proactive customer communication, workload planning, and the effective use of LIMS to monitor progress and allocate resources efficiently. Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Target #3: All livestock and poultry entering Alaska have current health permits. Methodology: The Office of the State Veterinarian tracks permits issued in an on-line system. These numbers were compared to the total number of livestock and poultry presented for entry at the Canadian Border without Alaska permit numbers according to USDA"s records. Analysis of results and challenges: Livestock such as cattle, bison, yaks, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats entering Alaska must have a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, also known as a health certificate. All livestock and poultry imports must also be accompanied by an importation permit issued by the Alaska Office of the State Veterinarian. In FY2025, 1,088 import permits were issued for livestock and poultry. Of these, 170 covered livestock shipments containing 374 individual animals, and 918 covered poultry shipments containing 65,583 birds. Animals imported to Alaska must be examined by an accredited private veterinarian before transport. The Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) issues importation permits once Alaska`s animal health requirements are met, including a physical examination and required disease testing. This process helps prevent the introduction of infectious or contagious diseases and parasites of concern, protecting domestic animals and wildlife. High compliance rates reflect coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other states along with outreach to animal importers and owners. Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Target #1: All Alaskans served by a public water system are served by systems in compliance with health-based standards. Methodology: The information reflected in this table is provided on an annual basis by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after the end of each federal fiscal year (typically October). The numbers being reported are the number of Community Water Systems that are in compliance with the EPA defined health-based standards (Treatment Technique, Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level, and Maximum Contaminant Level requirements). Analysis of results and challenges: In 1978, the State of Alaska received primacy to implement the Public Water System Supervision program and began adopting Safe Drinking Water Act requirements to reduce waterborne disease risks and protect public health. Community water systems are a subset of federally regulated public water systems and must meet health-based standards for chemical, radiological, and microbiological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. During Federal FY2024, Alaska maintained the same percentage of community water systems in compliance with these standards as the previous year. The division`s Drinking Water Program uses a dual approach of compliance assistance and enforcement to help Alaska`s public water systems provide safe, reliable drinking water to as many residents as possible on a consistent basis. Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Target #2: All public water systems submit required sanitary surveys according to their designated schedule. Methodology: Number of active public water systems that do not have an overdue sanitary survey. Analysis of results and challenges: The division conducts oversight of the Sanitary Survey program, which evaluates Alaska`s 1,323 public water systems to ensure they produce and distribute safe drinking water. Sanitary surveys provide on-site reviews of source water, treatment facilities, equipment, and operations and maintenance practices. The information collected is used to assess the adequacy of each system and identify deficiencies requiring corrective action by the system operator. The division is responsible for training and approving sanitary survey inspectors and for taking enforcement action when surveys are overdue. Training and approval are provided for both state and third-party inspectors, with third-party inspectors completing most surveys statewide. Most waterborne disease outbreaks are caused by bacteria or other microorganisms, making routine testing and inspection essential to ensuring water safety. Under the federal Total Coliform Rule and Ground Water Rule, all federally regulated public water systems must periodically complete a sanitary survey covering their entire system. In FY2025, approximately 91 percent of Alaska`s public water systems followed this requirement, a slight decrease from the previous year. Target Last Modified: 11/15/2025

Last refreshed: 05/11/2026 12:00 pm