Borough to address water, sewer issues Tuesday

WASILLA — Water quality issues will take center stage Tuesday during a pair of public meetings at the Mat-Su Borough building in Palmer.

During its regular meeting at 6 p.m., the Mat-Su Borough Assembly will vote on a resolution to borrow $214,000 from the service area revolving loan fund to address issues at the Talkeetna sewage lagoon.

The borough is currently out of compliance with DEC discharge regulations at the location, and has been threatened with fines of as much as $37,500 per day.

The borough is in the process of securing more grants for system upgrades, according to a resolution to be voted on Tuesday.

The loan will be used for an aeration system, electrical upgrades, wetland repairs and more. They may also be used to match grant funding for the project.

The borough’s Public Works Department is currently in the process of trying to obtain a USDA grant to develop engineering and environmental reports needed to get additional grants to repair the system.

The Talkeetna sewage treatment plant has been the source of near-constant headaches for the borough, which in 2014 was cited by the DEC for high levels of fecal coliform and in 2015 for missing and inadequate paperwork at the plant.

Prior to its regular meeting, the assembly will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. to discuss a planned $22 million septage and leachate treatment facility in the Valley. In 2012, the assembly approved a feasibility study for a regional wastewater facility in the Mat-Su.

According to the borough, 93 percent of Valley residents rely on private septic systems. A new facility would reduce disposal fees and reduce impacts by hauling waste to Anchorage.

In November 2014, the assembly approved an application for a $22 million loan to design and construct a new facility. That application was submitted last February. In July, the assembly unanimously approved a site near the borough landfill for construction of the facility.