CAPE NEWENHAM LRRS WWTF Stormwater Outfall, JBER, Alaska | United States

CAPE NEWENHAM LRRS WWTF is a stormwater outfall facility located at 9327 Jerstad Avenue in JBER, Alaska, within the Anchorage Municipality. It serves the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) area and is classified as a stormwater outfall, managing runoff from the military installation. The facility is operational and falls under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES MS4 permits, which govern stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems. As a stormwater outfall in Alaska, the facility operates in a region with unique climatic and environmental conditions, including permafrost and seasonal snowmelt. The regulatory context for this facility involves compliance with Phase II MS4 requirements for small municipalities, as JBER is a federal facility. Typical stormwater management at such sites includes sediment control, oil-water separation, and monitoring for pollutants to protect receiving waters. The environmental significance of CAPE NEWENHAM LRRS WWTF lies in its role in managing stormwater runoff from a military base, which can contain pollutants such as heavy metals, fuels, and de-icing agents. Proper operation helps protect downstream water bodies, including Cook Inlet, from contamination. The facility's location in a sensitive subarctic ecosystem underscores the importance of effective stormwater management to preserve local water quality and habitat.

The facility discharges stormwater from a military installation in a subarctic region, where snowmelt and permafrost dynamics influence runoff patterns. Potential pollutants include petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and de-icing chemicals. The receiving waters may drain to Cook Inlet, an ecologically important estuary. Compliance with NPDES MS4 permits is critical to minimize impacts on aquatic life and water quality.