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.