Director, Civil Engineering Kuna Engineering, Alaska, United States
Abstract Submission: Alaska is a unique place. Over 75% of Alaskan communities are not connected by road, accessible only by air or water. These 280 small, mostly Alaska Native communities face limited resources and extreme environments. Seventy-five of these communities are considered underserved, meaning 55% or fewer homes have access to piped or hauled water and wastewater systems. Thirty-one communities have no access to safe drinking water or wastewater disposal. Many are located in river deltas, coastal areas, or wet tundra with poor soils and limited access to gravel. About 85% of Alaska is underlain by permafrost, making buried pipe systems challenging. In much of Alaska, winter temperatures can drop below -40°F for extended periods. As a result, communities have tried various solutions. This presentation will examine several Alaskan communities, including Kotzebue, Wainwright, Port Protection, and Tuntutuliak, highlighting their challenges, systems, and successes.
Learning Objectives/Expected Outcome (Optional) : The intent is to educate people's understanding of Alaska unique rural water and wastewater systems.
