Fairbanks would keep its 11.2 million gallon Tanana discharge cap

Fairbanks' wastewater plant would keep discharging up to 11.2 million gallons a day into the Tanana River under a preliminary draft permit the state released Aug. 20. That is the same cap in force since 2022.

The plant has been discharging 4.4 to 5.3 million gallons a day since 2024, less than half the ceiling.

The permit covers secondary treated domestic wastewater from the City of Fairbanks and Golden Heart Utilities at a fixed point on the Tanana, which supports a personal-use salmon fishery. Limited pollutants are total ammonia as nitrogen, copper, temperature and whole effluent toxicity.

The city can review the draft through Sept. 2. A 30-day public comment period follows.