This annual report of water quality covers the calendar year of 2004.  It is designed to inform you about the quality of drinking water and services we provide you every day.

You will find Nome Joint Utility System supplies high quality well water that meets or exceeds all water quality standards set by both State and Federal regulatory agencies.  Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water.  We take very seriously our responsibility to provide and protect the water resource, as well as the water distribution and treatment and wastewater collection systems.  We are proud of the water and service we provide.

About this report

(907) 443-NJUS                          www.njus.org

2004 Annual Water Quality Report                 Public Water Systen ID #AK2340010

Our water source

Nome has one source of water known as Moonlight Springs.  Three artesian wells located north of the Nome-Beltz High School at the base of the southwest face of Anvil  Mountain provide water to the community.

Our water source is classified as a ground water source.  The wells are capable of adequately supplying Nome’s year-round water needs.

The infiltration gallery previously used is no longer connected to our distribution system; however, this could be reactivated in the event of an emergency and is available to provide an additional source of fire fighting water to the facilities in the vicinity of the  high school.

protection to areas not previously served by the distribution system are nearing completion.  With the assistance of the FAA, ADEC, and USDA-RUS,  services have been expanded to include the airport and port area which previously were dependent on trucked water and hauled sewage disposal systems.

In connection with the construction of the new power plant, the water distribution pump house will be relocated to allow us to continue to use waste heat to heat the water prior to distribution.  Adding waste heat to the system results in a significant savings to customers in the operation of their water heaters.  A new water line will be completed in 2006, routed from the new power plant through the Sandspit to town, to provide an alternate route to town and reduce reliance on the 40 year old water distribution line located in Seppala Drive.

Water Distribution System

NJUS completed the replacement of the utilidor system in 2002 with a new, more reliable direct bury system.  This project was made possible with funding assistance from the Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Utility Service (USDA-RUS).  A significant reduction in water use has resulted with the replacement of leaking mains.

NJUS continues to regularly assess the water and sewer systems in the community and system improvements and expansions have been identified as required to insure the continued reliability and efficiency of the system.  The Nome Joint Utility Board adopted a Water & Sewer Master Plan, updated in 2004, identifying necessary system improvement projects through 2010. 

During 2005, the Utility embarked on a force account construction program to replace the old “sclaircore” distribution and collection systems.  These systems were installed by contractors over 20 years ago and have served the community well, but are deteriorating rapidly due to settlement as a result of thawing permafrost.  They are no longer reliable, resulting in repeated breaks as lines pull apart and are prohibitively expensive to maintain.  ADEC and RUS are providing funding assistance to the community to upgrade and replace these utilities.  The 2005 program is along East Front Street in advance of pavement replacement by DOT.

Projects that expand water and sewer service and fire