Officials are still looking for a solution after Juneau rejected PFAS-contaminated poop from Gustavus

By Alix Soliman | KTOO | April 8, 2026

Read the full article by Alix Soliman (KTOO)

"Most households and businesses in the rural community of Gustavus rely on septic systems. For years, a private company from Juneau ferried over to pump them out.

But the City and Borough of Juneau stopped accepting septic waste from the community of fewer than 700 residents last March due to concerns over the impacts of PFAS-contaminated sludge.

PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” since they don’t break down naturally. They’re toxic, known to cause severe health problems and they’re everywhere, including in human waste. High concentrations of PFAS afflict the City of Gustavus after firefighting foams containing the chemicals were sprayed at the airport, upstream from neighborhoods."