Courtesy of City Hall

Usually when undetonated explosives are found in Unalaska, they’re remnants of World War II. But explosive materials discovered earlier this week at the wastewater treatment plant came from a different source. Public works director Nancy Peterson says contractor Advanced Blasting is responsible for leaving the buried explosives behind at the construction site.

"There was some blasting compound that was found," says Peterson. "And then it was, I believe, the following day that additional compound along with a blasting cap and booster [were found]. And that was the one that was dangerous at that point."

Northern Mechanical discovered the unexploded materials on Monday during excavation of the site. Peterson says they’re still searching for additional explosives.

She couldn’t explain how they ended up unaccounted for. Neither could Advanced Blasting.

"It’s still undetermined, you know, why that has occurred or to what extent," says Advanced Blasting’s Mikel Saunders.

The company is sending someone to meet with Northern Mechanical, and dispose of any explosives that are found.

It’s not clear whether Advanced Blasting will be on the hook for the additional work. Delays to the EPA-mandated construction project have been minimal, and, so far, this newest discovery has only set the project back by a few days.