Mixing Zones/Sewage Systems

Mixing zones are areas in a water body surrounding or downstream of a discharge where state water quality standards may be exceeded while the effluent plume is diluted by the receiving water. Our public waters receive varying amounts of pollution under the parameters of discharge permits as specified by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Current regulations allow freshwater spawning areas to be designated as mixing zones if salmon are not actively spawning at the time of wastewater discharge. HB 46 would change that regulation to prevent discharge of pollutants into any freshwater spawning area.

HB 46 is also a public right-to-know bill. It seeks to create accountability by allowing the public to have clear and easy access to information regarding the amount and nature of pollutants that are discharged under permit into Alaska water.

Finally, current law doesn't adequately provide opportunity for public awareness and involvement in a comment process for the expansion of commercial sewage containment facilities. HB 46 allows the public to be involved if a sewage lagoon is expanded by more than 50% of its originally permitted size.