ANTHC is set to begin a first-service sanitation project in Koyukuk in August of this year. Koyukuk is currently an unserved community and sanitation infrastructure has been a long time coming. Work will start with an Indian Health Service (IHS) grant of $2.5 million to construct on-site water and wastewater facilities for a dozen homes. This is the first part of a multi-phase, multi-year project that will ultimately serve the entire community with water wells, septic systems and in-home plumbing, ...

The Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative (ARUC) met in Anchorage April 25-26. ARUC partners with member communities to use a strength-in-numbers approach and assists with the management, operations and maintenance of each community’s water and wastewater systems. Every year, the collaborative publishes a report sharing highlights of the previous year’s work. This year the report highlights activities such as utility assistance, water plant tours, new staff, alternative collection programs for unpaid bills, engineering updates, and various community led projects. The report ...

As the summer days grow longer, our Alaska Native people will spend more time on the water – whether it’s on boats or shores, fishing or for recreation. However, every year, water related accidents and fatalities affect our Native community. On average, 17 Alaska Native people drown each year. About half of Alaska Native drowning victims are ages 30 and under. Our Alaska Native men are six times as likely to drown than our Native women. These numbers can be ...

As spring is in bloom, many people are taking care of their annual spring cleaning. While you are doing the spring clean, consider cleaning the filters and core in your heat recovery ventilator (HRV). The filters and core keep things like bugs, dust and odors from circulating in your home. Now is the time to wash or vacuum your filters in anticipation for the bug and dust-filled summer season. Without maintenance, your filters and core will not function properly. Follow ...

When Eek Elder, Elias Keyes, turned on his new faucet for the first time and watched the water flow down his sink, he saw his relative’s prophetic words come to life. “My grandfather used to say a time would come when we could push a button and everything would happen. Now, I see that it is,” Keyes said. “When I’m gone, I won’t have to worry about my grandchildren having safe water.” In March, workers on the project to bring ...

As ANTHC’s latest sanitation project in Angoon nears completion, critical infrastructure upgrades are beginning to improve quality of life for the whole community. Angoon’s new, custom-built septic tank and outfall pipe are up and running, diverting waste from sensitive areas previously impacted by deficiencies in the old system. Mabel Jack, a community Elder whose yard had suffered wastewater discharges for years, enjoys a clean property. Area birds that formerly fed in contaminated areas are no longer enticed by wastewater spills. ...