Sharing Environmental Health Practice in the North American Arctic: A Focus on Water and Wastewater Service

While providing water and wastewater services in rural Alaska has traditionally been difficult, the task has become even more challenging in the new millennium. A combination of factors has increased the cost and complexity of water and wastewater systems while leaving residents with diminished abil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental health 2007-04, Vol.69 (8), p.50-55
Main Author: Ritter, Troy L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alaska
Alaska Natives
Communities
Company business management
Costs
Drinking water
Environmental economics
Environmental health
Environmental Health - methods
Fees
Fishing industry
Health aspects
Health behavior
Health services
Infectious diseases
Maintenance
Management
Northwest Territories
Prevention
Public health
Retirement communities
Rural Population
Sanitation services
Sewer systems
SPECIAL REPORT
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Wastewater
Water Supply
Water utilities
Waterborne infections
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Summary:While providing water and wastewater services in rural Alaska has traditionally been difficult, the task has become even more challenging in the new millennium. A combination of factors has increased the cost and complexity of water and wastewater systems while leaving residents with diminished ability to pay for services. Alaskans may be better able to meet these challenges by learning more about and adopting some approaches used in similar regions. In March 2005, the author visited six communities in the Canadian Northwest Territories (NWT). Made possible by NEHA’s Sabbatical Exchange Ambassador Award, these visits provided the author an opportunity to learn about the NWT approach to providing water and wastewater services. He then compiled comprehensive descriptions of each region’s service delivery model. Comparisons were made, and features of interest were identified and used to develop recommendations for improving service delivery in rural Alaska.
ISSN:0022-0892