Water System Vulnerabilities in Rural Alaska: The Role of Transportation Infrastructure

Abstract Submission: The provision of water services in Alaska can be challenging given the extreme climate and geographic remoteness of many communities. 82% of communities are not connected to the roadway system. This lack of road access creates a reliance on alternative transportation modes, such as planes or barges, to deliver essential supplies, including equipment and materials for water systems. This operating context leads to unique couplings between water and transportation systems that are typically absent in the contiguous US. For example, if a critical pump breaks in a water system, a utility may not be able to get a new part until the next barge, leading to long-term water outages as seen in Bethel, Alaska in 2021. This work identifies and characterizes interdependencies between water and transportation systems in Alaska. Using a systems-thinking approach, we explore how these relationships can be pathways to water system failures or a source of resilience. Here, we conducted and qualitatively analyzed semi-structured interviews with utility providers in Bethel. This town provides water through a distribution system or delivered water to household tanks, depending on the neighborhood. Preliminary results show that the poor condition of unpaved roads can lead to failure in the hauled water system. These roads, combined with bad weather and inadequate drainage, hinder the ability of water trucks to deliver water, leading to water service disruptions. The relationships identified here will be a foundation for models that support decision-making processes, utilizing tools such as decision trees or agent-based modeling.

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