New! Source Control Page
Find information on FOG (fats, oils, and greases) reduction on our new informational page.
Toxic discharges to CBJ sewer system prohibited
During the week of October 9, 2023, the CBJ Utility detected and responded to three separate instances of discharges of toxic and prohibited substances into the public sewer system, comprised of fuels, acids and solvents. None of these substances belong in the sewer system. They each pose threats to human health and risk to the environment, disrupt waste treatment operations, and cost the community-owned system a lot of money to manage.
Discharging toxic and prohibited substances to CBJ’s sewer system constitutes a violation of CBJ’s Sewer Code, Section 75.02.080 – Use of public sewers;
- No persons shall discharge or cause to be discharged to any public sewer any harmful waters or wastes, whether liquid, solid or gas, capable of causing obstruction to the flow in the sewers, damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewage works, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works.
CBJ Utility staff are currently tracking the source of the discharges detected last week and are conducting an investigation to determine the responsible parties.
Safe and legal disposal of toxic materials is easily accomplished by bringing those materials to Juneau’s RecycleWorks. For further information about RecycleWorks, contact Stuart Ashton at (907) 364-7405 or [email protected] .
For more information about the Utility, contact Chad Gubala at [email protected] or (907) 586-0393.
Water shutoff in Crow Hill Drive area October 13
Water service in the Crow Hill Drive area will be shut off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, October 13, as construction on the Crow Hill Drive Resurfacing & Rehabilitation project takes place.
The shutoff will affect customers in the area between Lawson Creek and Chatham Place, including Creek Street, Great Western Street, Lawson Creek Road, Raven Road and Orca Point Apartments. Please check your residence for a notification letter if you live in this area.
Please check your appliances and heating system and take any precautions noted in the owner’s manual to make sure that they will not be damaged from lack of water. CBJ and Admiralty Construction appreciate your patience during this interruption.
If you have questions, please contact the CBJ Water Utility at (907) 586-2165 for weekend/after-hours support or Admiralty Construction at (907) 780-3555.
October 12 Utility Advisory Board meeting cancelled
The upcoming UAB Meeting on Thursday, October 12 is cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 9 at 5:15 p.m. via Zoom Webinar or in person at the Water Utility Shop (2520 Barrett Avenue).
For more information, contact the CBJ Utilities Division at 907-586-0393.
For a complete list of CBJ public meetings, see juneau.org/calendar.
Diesel fuel identified in downtown Juneau sewer system
On September 7, 2023, the CBJ Utility noted an aroma of diesel in the wastewater collections system in the Juneau downtown area and at the Juneau/Douglas waste treatment facility. At the same time, downtown businesses also reported the fuel smell directly to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC).
The CBJ Utility and ADEC immediately launched a joint field investigation to find and isolate/mitigate the source of the diesel entering the sewer system. While a potential source was quickly identified, subsequent and continuing reports of diesel aromas from downtown business owner/operators and the Utility suggest that there may still be an active leak occurring.
Diesel 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.
If you are aware of any leaking fuel tanks or pipes, or know of any other possible sources of fuels that may be discharging to our drainage and sewer systems, please contact ADEC’s office of Spill Prevention and Recovery (SPAR) immediately:
- Report online at reportspills.alaska.gov
- Call the DEC response team office toll-free at 1-800-478-9300
For more information, please contact Chad Gubala at [email protected] or (907) 586-0393.