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Enhancing Rural Utilities in Alaska: The ARUC Approach to Public Health and Infrastructure

The Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative (ARUC) aims to improve water and sewer services across 23 tribes in rural Alaska. With a focus on health impacts, ARUC emphasizes building and managing infrastructure effectively to ensure reliable services. By centralizing billing and management while utilizing local labor, ARUC helps tribes operate independently as nonprofits. The initiative promotes stability during transitions, reduces repair costs, and aims to enhance public health outcomes, addressing challenges such as water access and sanitation. For inquiries, contact John Nichols, ARUC Manager at ANTHC.

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Enhancing Rural Utilities in Alaska: The ARUC Approach to Public Health and Infrastructure

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  1. ARUC:Multi-Tribe Utility Management Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative John Nichols, PE, ARUC Manager

  2. Health impacts of water/sewer • Building infrastructure is the first step • Management of infrastructure is next • Maximize health impact of system • Reduce true cost to operate • Protect investment (life of system) • Minimize ‘repair by replacement’

  3. Alaska Public Radio: Chevak

  4. Structure of ARUC • 23 Tribes “Strength in Numbers” • Centralized billing, parts ordering, management, accounting • Local labor with central supervision • Finances: Each Tribe a stand-alone nonprofit • Rates vary per Tribe: must cover expenses • Emergency repair reserve • Advisory Board member from each Tribe • Non-paying customers disconnected

  5. Southwest members • Chignik Lagoon • Chignik Lake • Newhalen • South Naknek • New Stuyahok • Tyonek

  6. Northwest members • Golovin • Saint Michael • Savoonga • Selawik • Kiana • Ambler • Kobuk • Noorvik

  7. YK Delta members • Chevak • Goodnews Bay • Lower Kalskag • Russian Mission • Sleetmute • Toksook Bay • Upper Kalskag • Kotlik • Holy Cross

  8. Advantages of ARUC • Reliability of service • Selawik • Provides stability during transitions • Noorvik & Holy Cross • Operator turnover: 8% vs 75% • Data!!! • Improved designs, energy use & monitoring • Collaboration & Standardization

  9. Challenges for ARUC • Responsible for system • Repairs needed prior to joining • Liability • Management cost • Water/sewer rates increase • Adequate maintenance costs money • Is it worth improved public health?

  10. Skin infection rates in YK Delta vs homes in community with water

  11. Infant Hospitalization

  12. Gastrointestinal and postneonatal* mortality rates compared with percent of American Indian and Alaska Native homes having sanitation facilities Gastrointestinal mortality rate per 100,000 population (age-adjusted) Postneonatal mortality rate per 1,000 births Percent of homes having sanitation facilities * 29 days to one year of age

  13. ARUC’s purpose • Provide good water every day to rural Alaska • Ensure our Tribes never go back to pre-water/sewer health status

  14. Questions?

  15. Contacts • If interested in ARUC concept, contact me. John Nichols, ARUC Manager ANTHC (907) 729-5695 jpnichols@anthc.org

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