Gasoline found in Mendenhall sewer system disrupts treatment in Juneau, Alaska
(UI) — A gasoline spill disrupted operations at the City and Borough of Juneau's (CBJ) Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant on May 16, prompting an emergency response and a joint investigation with state environmental officials.
On May 17, operators detected the presence of gasoline in the facility’s sewer system, forcing the partial evacuation of the plant. Staff acted quickly to isolate the contamination and minimize damage, according to CBJ officials.
“The spill immediately disrupted wastewater treatment operations,” the city said in a statement. “The severity of the spill prompted temporary evacuation of a portion of the treatment facility.”
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s (ADEC) Spill Prevention and Response division is assisting with the investigation to identify the source of the spill.
Officials warn that gasoline in the sewer system poses serious risks, including threats to human health, interference with wastewater treatment processes, and environmental harm to nearby water bodies and fisheries.
The spill is believed to have originated somewhere in the Mendenhall Valley, Lemon Creek, or Salmon Creek areas. Authorities are asking for the public’s help to identify the source.
“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,” the city said.
Related News
From Archive
- Alaska LNG pipeline could require 7,000 workers at peak construction, developers say
- Ohio trench collapse kills one worker, injures two during pipe installation
- California invests $590 million to boost water reliability, upgrade sewer systems statewide
- Dominion proposes 186-mile underground HVDC power line across Virginia
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
Comments