Utilities – City and Borough of Juneau

Combined Stormwater and Wastewater Discharge to Gastineau Channel on September 26

The City & Borough of Juneau Utilities Division reports that a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) event occurred at the Outer Drive Pump Station in Downtown Juneau during the heavy precipitation on Friday, September 26, 2025. The event resulted in a discharge of approximately 80,000 gallons of combined wastewater and stormwater into the Gastineau Channel between around 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Friday evening. Environmental impacts from this discharge are expected to be minimal due to the short duration of the event and the dilute nature of the discharge.

The discharge was caused by an unexpected low pressure weather system with heavy precipitation that temporarily overwhelmed the Outer Drive (OD) wastewater pump station during a sensitive construction action. The OD station is currently undergoing a major reconstruction and upgrade, due to be completed within the month. Once completed, the upgrades to the OD station will serve to prevent this type of event from recurring. This project is part of a comprehensive program to replace the Utility’s aging and antiquated infrastructure.

For more information, contact CBJ’s Water Utility Office at 586-0393.

September 27th, 2025|

Combined wastewater & stormwater discharge to the Gastineau Channel – Second occurrence

The CBJ Utilities Division reports that a second Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) event occurred at the Outer Drive Pump Station in Downtown Juneau along Egan Drive resulting in a combination of wastewater and storm water being discharged into the Gastineau Channel. The event occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. September 10, 2025 and lasted until 2:30 a.m. September 11, 2025.

The second discharge was due to the resumption of heavy precipitation that temporarily overwhelmed the antiquated Outer Drive (OD) wastewater pump station. As stated in the previous notice, the OD station is currently undergoing a major reconstruction project that, once completed, will prevent this type of event from occurring in the future.

Samples of the discharged water appeared to be very dilute in nature. As such, environmental impacts from this second discharge are also expected to be small. Per Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) permitting requirements, CBJ must provide notice to the public of any CSO event. CBJ has also notified ADEC.

For more information, interested parties can contact the CBJ Utility at 907-586-0393.

September 11th, 2025|

Reminder: water and sewer utility rates increased August 1

Please be aware that as of August 1, water and sewer utility rates have increased by 5 percent. The CBJ Assembly approved increases to both water and sewer utility rates in June 2025 following a comprehensive utility rate study and a series of public meetings and community presentations. A detailed table showing the finalized rates is available at bit.ly/CBJUtilityRates.

With the rate increase now in effect, residents can expect changes to their billing statements. Bill-Pay customers should update their accounts to reflect the new rates to stay current.

As a low-density community with a long and narrow footprint, Juneau is a unique place with unique needs. The cost to operate and maintain utility infrastructure is higher than in a dense and compact urban environment, and deferring maintenance and replacement only leads to even higher costs in the future. Significant inflationary cost increases in utility operations and aging infrastructure needs mean that rate increases are now necessary to keep serving our community’s water and sewer needs.

Revenue generated from utility rates is allocated toward operating and maintaining major water and wastewater infrastructure systems, capital projects focused on addressing failing infrastructure or ensuring regulatory compliance, and debt financing from Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) loans.

For more information, contact the CBJ Utility Office at (907) 586-0898.

August 20th, 2025|

Water and sewer utility rates to increase August 1

Please be aware that water and sewer utility rates will increase by 5 percent, effective August 1, 2025. The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Assembly approved increases to both water and sewer utility rates in June 2025 following a comprehensive utility rate study and a series of public meetings and community presentations. A detailed table showing the finalized rates is available at bit.ly/CBJUtilityRates.

As a low-density community with a long and narrow footprint, Juneau is a unique place with unique needs. The cost to operate and maintain utility infrastructure is higher than in a dense and compact urban environment, and deferring maintenance and replacement only leads to even higher costs in the future. Significant inflationary cost increases in utility operations and aging infrastructure needs mean that rate increases are now necessary to keep serving our community’s water and sewer needs.

Beginning August 1, residents can expect changes to their billing statements. Bill-pay customers should update their accounts to reflect the new rates to stay current.

Subsequent 5 percent increases will take effect in July 2026, July 2027, July 2028, and July 2029, as approved in Ordinance 2025-27. Revenue generated from utility rates is allocated toward operating and maintaining major water and wastewater infrastructure systems, capital projects focused on addressing failing infrastructure or ensuring regulatory compliance, and debt financing from Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) loans.

June 18th, 2025|

Gasoline fuel identified in Mendenhall sewer system – community assistance requested

At 6:15 a.m. on May 17, 2025, operators at the CBJ Mendenhall Treatment Plant responded to a sudden gasoline spill that entered the plant and immediately disrupted wastewater treatment operations. The severity of the spill prompted temporary evacuation of a portion of the treatment facility. Utility treatment operators worked quickly to isolate and contain the damage caused by this spill while other staff initiated an investigation into its origins in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), Spill Prevention and Response.

Gasoline in the CBJ sewer system poses significant risks to human health and infrastructure, interferes with the waste treatment process and jeopardizes our fisheries and environment.

While the CBJ Utility and ADEC investigates this issue, we would like to ask the Community’s assistance with any information relating to gasoline spills or discharges in the Mendenhall Valley, Lemon Creek and Salmon Creek areas. If you witnessed or are aware of any fuel spills, leaking fuel tanks or pipes, or know of any other possible sources of fuels that may be discharging to our drainage and sewer systems, we ask that you please contact our joint investigation team immediately.

ADEC’s office of Spill Prevention and Recovery (SPAR) is coordinating our response and would like to receive your reports through their hazardous substance hotline:

Call the DEC response team office toll-free at 1-800-478-9300
Call international at 1-907-269-0667
Report online at reportspills.alaska.gov

The CBJ Utility and the State of Alaska DEC thank you for your assistance with this matter.

May 19th, 2025|