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Water and Wellness
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Water is an essential part of our wellness.
Hand washing, cleaning and daily hygiene are all easier with regular access to adequate water for household use. But for many Alaska communities, water insecurity is a stark reality. Alaska has the lowest rate of in-home plumbing nationwide, with over 30 remote communities that are lacking system wide plumbing.
ANTHC is partnering with these communities to improve the water and wellness connections for more Alaska Native people.
Path to Water and Wellness
Funding
Historic levels of funding provided by the Federal Government have created the opportunity to bring water and wellness solutions to more communities throughout Alaska than ever before.
The Indian Health Service (IHS), with consultation from ANTHC, the State of Alaska and Tribes from around Alaska, uses an objective process to determine the order in which Legacy List projects are funded. Legacy List projects are the projects that were entered into the IHS Sanitation Deficiency System (SDS) before 2022. Projects across the state are administered by either ANTHC, or the State of Alaska’s Village Safe Water (VSW). The contact for all VSW-led communities is listed below in the “Contact Information” section.
While the opportunity to bring more water and wellness solutions to more homes and communities than ever before is exciting, ANTHC continues to advocate and seek additional funding to finally close the clean water access gap that remains in Alaska.
Role of ANTHC
ANTHC is working with Tribes and communities to ensure projects are informed by the very people they aim to serve. ANTHC’s role in bringing more communities safe water and sanitation than ever before spans the life of any given project.
The Consortium works with communities to help pursue new funding opportunities, submit project proposals, and provide assistance in getting a project to meet the IHS’s criteria for “ready to fund” status.
Additionally, ANTHC leads, assists, and consults on the management of the project as funding is secured and the work is underway.
Sample Project Timeline From Funding to Finish
What steps are needed in order to receive funding for sanitation projects?
STEP 1: PLANNING
Prior to funding:
- Hold community planning meetings.
- Complete preliminary engineering report, evaluate options and solutions, develop design and construction scopes, and complete a cost estimate.
- Obtain IHS approval “ready to fund” status.
STEP 2: DESIGN AND PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Detailed planning and design:
- Gain design plan approval from regulatory agencies.
- Obtain permits.
- Conduct geotechnical investigations.
- Complete land surveys.
- Acquire right-of-way(s).
- Gain environmental and archeological clearances.
- Develop construction drawings.
STEP 3: CONSTRUCTION
Once designs and permits are in place, construction can begin:
- Construction can take three to six years depending on the size and complexity of the project.
- Engineering and construction resources can impact construction timelines.
- Logistics and construction windows also dictate schedules and the length of construction.
Underserved Communities
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Regional Contact Information
KANA
APIA
Chugachmiut
SEARHC
Elizabeth Merrill, P.E.
Engineering Project Manager IV
907-306-3233
ekmerrill@anthc.org
SCF
BBAHC
Victoria Jelderks, P.E.
Engineering Project Manager IV
503-896-6265
vajelderks@anthc.org
YKHC
Brent Hove
Project Manager III
907-602-0925
brhove@anthc.org
ASNA
Maniilaq
NSHC
Derek Hancey, P.E.
Engineering Project Manager IV
907-729-5677
dhancey@anthc.org
TCC
CRNA
Greg Martin, P.E., P.M.P.
Engineering Project Manager IV
907-538-1141
gamartin@anthc.org
Scattered Sites Statewide
Mark Landon
Operations Manager
907-729-4058
melandon@anthc.org
State of Alaska point of contact:
All VSW-led communities can reach out to the State of Alaska.
State of Alaska
Village Safe Water-led Communities
David Landes, Program Manager, VSW
907-465-5014
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Leadership Contact Information:
Al Montoya
ANTHC Chief Operating Officer
amontoya@anthc.org
Don Kious
Chief Executive DEHE
dakious@anthc.org
Mike Kruse
DEHE Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Construction
mtkruse@anthc.org