September 12, 2026
Kaktovik Water Pumping and Lagoon Discharge Begins Sunday
KAKTOVIK, Alaska – The North Slope Borough will begin pumping water from Kaktovik’s water system at 9 a.m. Sunday, September 13.
Approximately 1.5 million to 3 million gallons of water containing low levels of ethylene glycol will be discharged to the Kaktovik Lagoon near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This will create space in the community’s water storage tanks so they can be refilled with new potable water.
The discharge has been reviewed and authorized by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Water, DEC Division of Spill Response and Preparedness (SPAR), and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Due to the tidal nature of the lagoon, regulators determined that the one-time discharge will not adversely affect aquatic life. However, the North Slope Borough will monitor the area during and after the discharge for any signs of impacts to aquatic life.
What Residents Need to Know
- Pumping will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday, September 13 and is expected to continue for approximately 36 hours, with completion anticipated between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday, September 14.
- The Do Not Drink notice remains in effect. Piped water must not be used for drinking during or after this work until the community is notified otherwise.
- The remaining water in the system will continue to provide fire protection for the community.
- The remaining pumping season is expected to provide enough time to restore water reserves needed for winter storage.
- Public Works is also preparing a winter water-haul contingency plan in case winter conditions arrive early.
- The road to the airport and landfill may have limited access during the pumping operation. Emergency Medical Services and emergency access to the runway will not be interrupted. Commercial access to the airport will resume Monday, September 14.
The Borough and its partners will continue to provide additional information to the community as the operation progresses.
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 12, 2026:
NSB KAKTOVIK PUBLIC Water Pumping and Lagoon Discharge
Past Public Service Announcements
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 10, 2026:
NSB KAKTOVIK PUBLIC WATER NOTICE + FAQs
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 5, 2026:
NSB KAKTOVIK PUBLIC WATER NOTICE + FAQs
Please click the following link for a flyer from the NSB Department of Health & Social Services:
