Alaskan town hopes for $20 million wastewater plant

A town in Alaska is facing a $20 million (£13 million) bill for a new wastewater treatment plant, after the mayor said the existing one is nearing the end of its working life.

The town of North Pole's current works deal with 500,000 gallons of water from the Flint Hills oil refinery every day, as well as normal sewage works, newsminer.com reports.

Mayor Doug Isaacson is to appeal directly to state governor Sarah Palin for $500,000 to carry out analysis and planning for a new plant, commenting that "things are breaking down" at the current works.

Spokesman for Flint Hills Jeff Cook stated that the company only bought the refinery on the understanding that the town - which has a population of just 1,600 - would provide the necessary infrastructure.

"We recognise that we are a major customer of the city of North Pole and we're certainly sensitive to the community improvements they have to make," he commented.

Flint Hills also owns refineries in Minnesota and Texas.