Alaska Governor Tony Knowles says recent tests of the sewage and wastewater dumped by ships show significant violations of state and federal pollution standards.
Several dozen samples of treated sewage taken from 12 ships this summer exceeded federal standards for fecal coliform bacteria in preliminary results, according to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the Coast Guard.
"For an industry that depends on and markets Alaska's pristine beauty, this is not only unacceptable, it's a disgrace,'' Knowles said in a press conferenceThursday announcing the test results.
And more than 70 percent of samples of gray water (unregulated and untreated waste stream from sinks and showers) exceeded standards. Complete test results are still pending.
SOURCE: PR Newswire