Water and wastewater upgrades could be on Petersburg's ballot this fall

Voters in Petersburg will likely get to decide whether to fund upgrades to the town’s wastewater and water infrastructure. Last week, the Petersburg Borough Assembly voted in favor of a proposition to borrow more than $19 million dollars for the projects. It needs to pass a third vote to be on the ballot this fall.

The borough plans to change its wastewater system because of new state and federal regulations. Utility Director Karl Hagerman said currently, the department treats wastewater by screening out larger solids, and letting sludge settle. Then they pump the treated wastewater into the ocean near town. But that’s different from disinfection.

“We discharge into Frederick Sound, without disinfection and the permit parameters that we have in place, we’ve met those without any issues,” he said. “So myself and other members of the department feel that this is really not needed. But the state of Alaska does have authority over water quality standards, and they’re saying it is needed.”

Going forward, the department will have to disinfect wastewater to reduce fecal coliform – the bacteria that comes from sewage – before it’s piped into Frederick Sound. Right now the department relies on what’s called a mixing zone – an area around the wastewater outflow where it’s diluted by ocean water. Hagerman said there’s no evidence of high levels of the bacteria in Frederick Sound outside that mixing zone. He said the disinfection equipment required to meet the requirements will cost roughly $10 million dollars.




https://www.kfsk.org/2024/07/26/water-and-wastewater-upgrades-could-be-on-petersburgs-ballot-this-fall/