Norton Sound in western Alaska is home to 16 remote communities that struggle with access to safe and reliable drinking water. The infrastructure systems in this region range from centralized piped systems to self-haul methods, and increasing permafrost thaw, erosion, and extreme weather have resulted in more frequent disruptions. In this study, researchers Rebecca Cantrell, Cristina Poleacovschi, Christina Gish Hill, Carl F. Weems, Scott Feinstein, Kaoru Ikuma, and Lina Sela investigate the technical and governance-related aspects of water supply systems across multiple communities in northwestern Alaska. The study highlights how cultural preferences, limited data availability, and misaligned federal regulations can complicate water provision efforts. This community-level research focus fills a gap between overly broad statewide studies and narrowly focused local assessments.
Their study "Assessing Water Supply Systems in Remote Alaska: Challenges in Piped Infrastructure, Data, and Governance in Norton Sound" provides a comprehensive synthesis of available data sources and identifies key technical attributes and operational practices of drinking water systems in remote settings. The authors highlight the complex web of government entities that impact water infrastructure service delivery. Engineers will gain insights into the limitations of current design approaches, the importance of community engagement, and the need for context-sensitive solutions. Ultimately, this work lays the foundation for more resilient and culturally appropriate water infrastructure in remote Alaska, offering actionable recommendations for improving data management, system performance, and long-term planning. Their analysis, which highlights the need for context-sensitive solutions, can be found in the Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management at https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/JWRMD5.WRENG-6810. The abstract is below.
Abstract
Alaska Native communities, geographically sparse and remote, increasingly struggle to provide safe and reliable drinking water. These systems are complex and supported by an intricate web of organizations, agencies, and institutions. However, studies exploring the performance and capacity of drinking water systems, particularly centralized piped infrastructure in remote communities, are scarce. This study focuses on water systems in the Norton Sound region of Western Alaska. We examined the technical characteristics of these drinking water systems and practices related to their operations and management and outlined the roles of various organizations, agencies, and institutions involved in water governance. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the technical, financial, and operational aspects of these systems, as well as the vital roles that different organizations play in supporting community water management. Additionally, we identified significant gaps in accessible water data. We concluded that improving data management, evaluating data adequacy, and integrating data use practices into current workflows are essential steps for enhancing water supply systems. These findings can inform future research on drinking water systems, help identify conditions for safe and affordable water, and support the exploration of integrated water management in remote communities.
Explore the challenges further and see if they resonate with water challenges in your community in the ASCE Library: https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/JWRMD5.WRENG-6810.
