Public Works – City and Borough of Juneau

Multigovernment Effort to Address Health and Safety Concerns in Aak’w Village District Moves Forward

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and Tlingit & Haida are working with property owners to collectively address longstanding public health, safety, and environmental concerns in the area behind Willoughby and Capital Avenues, including the historic Aak’w Village District, in downtown Juneau.

CBJ and Tlingit & Haida are coordinating with property owners, service providers, and community partners to address accumulated waste and other conditions affecting public health, safety, and the environment. Cleanup will begin the week of September 1 on the properties at 368, 376, 386 Village St, and in CBJ Rights of Way and will include removal of junk vehicles, waste and debris. CBJ City Manager, Katie Koester, will provide an update on these efforts at the September 14 Regular Assembly meeting.

Our shared goal is to make the area a safe, healthy, and welcoming place for the community while recognizing the complex circumstances of those currently living in or using the area. We are committed to addressing immediate health, safety, and environmental concerns with dignity and respect, while connecting individuals with mental health, recovery, housing, and other supportive resources whenever possible.

We are committed to working toward longer-term solutions for stewardship of the area that honors the deep historical significance of the Aak’w Village District.

For more information about this joint response, contact CBJ City Manager, Katie Koester ([email protected]) and Tlingit & Haida Communications Director, Dixie Hutchinson ([email protected]).

September 4th, 2026|

System-Wide Water Line Flushing to Begin This Week

Beginning the week of September 1, 2026, the City and Borough of Juneau Water Utility will begin flushing the water distribution system. Work is scheduled to begin in Douglas, then moving downtown and working north to the hospital, the Lemon Creek area, the Valley, Auke Bay and the Tee Harbor area, in that order.

Work will occur between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and will be tentatively completed by the end of October 2026.

Flushing the water system removes sediment and mineral accumulation in low flow areas of the system. This results in clean and crisp fresh water for Juneau.
During this process, customers may encounter water discoloration or minor disruptions in service. To clear the discoloration, first wait until the work crew leaves the area, then run the cold water tap (preferably in your bathtub) until the water runs clear.

Please watch for crews working in the roadway, use caution, and obey traffic controls. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

For more information, contact CBJ Utilities Administration at (907) 586-0393 or for after-hours emergencies call (907) 586-2165.

September 1st, 2026|

Clean Water, Improved Infrastructure, Detailed in Juneau’s 2025 Water Quality Report

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is pleased to share the positive results found in this year’s annual water quality report. The report, which assesses Juneau’s drinking water sources, is available to the public each year. Highlights from the 2025 water quality report include:

Juneau’s treated drinking water, sourced from the Last Chance Basin wellfield and the Salmon Creek Reservoir, met all state and federal public health standards. After comprehensive monitoring, no detectable contaminants such as PFAS or lead were found in the water.

In the last fiscal year, CBJ has invested more than $10 million in critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Completed projects include necessary upgrades to water reservoirs, the Outer Drive and West Juneau sewer lift stations, and the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant. This fiscal year, CBJ is investing another $15 million in water and wastewater improvements, including rehabilitation of an aging clarifier at the Juneau-Douglas Treatment Plant and installation of a biosolids crusher at the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant.

During this year’s major winter storm, CBJ employees worked to uncover nearly 1500 fire hydrants to ensure the community’s access to emergency services.

Read the full report on the CBJ Engineering and Public Works website. All drinking water suppliers are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide the public with an annual statement describing the community’s water supply and quality.

For questions, contact CBJ Utilities at [email protected] or 907-586-0393.

July 24th, 2026|

Water and Sewer Utility Rates Increase Today

Starting today, July 1, the water and sewer utility rate will increase by 5 percent. Utility users should expect changes to their billing statements and all manual Bill-Pay customers will need to update their accounts to reflect the new rates. AutoPay users will have their payments automatically updated and will not need to take action. Find more information on how to pay for utilities on the utilities payment information webpage.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved increases to both water and sewer utility rates in June 2025. Following the 2026 increase, there will be subsequent 5 percent increases in July 2027, July 2028, and July 2029. These increases keep pace with inflationary cost increases. New rates can be found on the water and wastewater rates webpage.

Revenue generated from these rates will be allocated toward operating and maintaining major water and wastewater infrastructure systems, debt financing from Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation loans, and capital projects focused on addressing failing infrastructure or ensuring regulatory compliance. Learn more about the relevant ordinances at the utilities historical rate webpage.

For more information about the utility rate increase, contact the Utility Office at 907-586-0898.

July 1st, 2026|

Water and Sewer Utility Rates Increase July 1

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved increases to both water and sewer utility rates in June 2025. The 5 percent utility rate increase will go into effect on July 1, 2026. New rates can be found on the water and wastewater rates webpage.

Utility users should expect changes to their billing statements. All manual Bill-Pay customers will need to update their accounts to reflect the new rates to stay current. AutoPay users will have their payments automatically updated and will not need to take action. Find more information on how to pay for utilities on the utilities payment information webpage.

Following the 2026 increase, there will be subsequent 5 percent increases in July 2027, July 2028, and July 2029. These increases keep pace with inflationary cost increases. Revenue generated from these rates will be allocated toward operating and maintaining major water and wastewater infrastructure systems, debt financing from Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation loans, and capital projects focused on addressing failing infrastructure or ensuring regulatory compliance. Learn more about the relevant ordinances at the utilities historical rate webpage.

For more information about the utility rate increase, contact the Utility Office at 907-586-0898.

June 15th, 2026|