Rural Alaska’s Water Issues

Today we’re discussing water. Specifically, the absence of adequate water and sewage systems  in rural communities across Western Alaska. Though there has been a lot of progress building facilities in the last 20 years, the job isn’t done, leaving many with limited access to potable water. It’s not merely an issue of convenience. There are elevated health risks, economic consequences, as well as questions of fairness in resource allocation. And amid diminishing state revenues along with accelerating climate change, the problems are rapidly worsening.

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HOST: Zachariah Hughes

GUESTS:

  • Bill Griffith, Village Safe Water Program, State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Joaqlin Estus, news director, KNBA

KSKA (FM 91.1) BROADCAST: Friday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m.

Alaska Public Television BROADCAST: Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 9 at 4:30 p.m.

Zachariah Hughes reports on city & state politics, arts & culture, drugs, and military affairs in Anchorage and South Central Alaska.

@ZachHughesAK About Zachariah

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