The Bristol Bay Borough recieved nearly $500,000 from the Alaska DEC to upgrade the area's sewage system to allow future growth at processing facilities.
The Bristol Bay Borough is working on one of the few projects in the state’s capital budget this year – an upgrade to the sewer system in Naknek.
Audio transcript:
The borough received almost $500,000 from the state for the project this fiscal year, which started in July. It was one of just four projects funded by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s grant program this year.
Kevin Schoneman is the borough’s wastewater and water supervisor.
“I’ve been told it should be in the neighborhood of $3.8 million dollars. And we were one of four projects funded in the state for this budget cycle.”
The project includes a new lift station at Peter Pan. Sewage is raised and pumped through the system at lift stations.
Peter Pan is in the same area as several other canneries, and Schoneman says use of the wastewater system in the area has increased in recent years. During a two-and-a-half day period in early July, that lift turned on 160 times, and operated for about 11 hours total in that time frame.
The upgrade will allow for future expansions at processing facilities in the area.
“It will ensure that this area can grow for many, many, many years.”
Schoneman says processors and residents shouldn’t notice the work while its underway.
“That’s been a challenge with the engineering is making sure we don’t interrupt anybody’s service during the time we’re constructing.”
Engineering and planning for the upgrade has been underway for several years.
“We are hoping it will be done, best case scenario, maybe early next spring, but more realistically, toward the end of next summer.”
Schoneman says the borough is hoping to put out the request for proposals on the project this summer, which is the first step in choosing a contractor for the project.