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LASTFRONTIER THE WATER NEWS

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LASTFRONTIER THE WATER NEWS

Alaska

1075 S Check Street, Suite 106 Wasilla, AK 99654-8067

ARWA STAFF

Robyn Dombroski, Executive Director

Kelly Comerford, Office Manager

Kevin Schoneman, Circuit Rider

Jordan Cameron, Circuit Rider

Nicholas Sena, Wastewater Training & Technical Assistance Specialist

Sarah Ramey, Source Water Protection Specialist

Tel: 866-985-9780

Fax: 866-985-9799 www.kelman.ca

Managing Editor: Lauren Drew

Design/layout: Tabitha Robin

Marketing Manager: Megan Stanley

Advertising Coordinator: Stefanie Hagidakow

The

Cover Photo Credit: Michelle Dombroski

PFAS COSTRECOVERY PROGRAM

Phase 2 is now open! Register by July 12, 2026, to be eligible for settlements to help your utility with costs associated with PFAS.

https://nrwa.org/issues/pfas/

WThawing Out: ARWA Looks Ahead to a Busy Year

By Robyn Dombroski, ARWA Executive Director

inter has been quite a back-and-forth season this year! From no snow, hurricane force winds, then snow dump, no winds, and back to heavy winds. Alaska likes to keep us on our toes, that much is for sure. On the bright side, break-up is just around the corner!

Our annual February legislative visit to Washington, D.C. went as well as they usually do. ARWA’s President, Jana Littlewood, and I made the in-person visit to meet with our Congressional delegates and/or their staff to discuss the importance of federal funding for rural water across the nation, including ARWA. It is always nice to meet with them and their staff, and we never fail to get their strong support, which makes the long trip a pleasant experience, at least from that perspective.

Mark your calendars now for our 2026 training conference, which will be held at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa October 19–22. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Please don’t forget to sign up to donate to ARWA when you shop at Fred Meyer! It costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time to make

REMEMBER THAT IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF JUST A FEW CEU CREDITS TO RENEW YOUR OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATION, WE OFFER ONLINE TRAINING THAT CAN FULFILL THAT NEED.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR OUR 2026 TRAINING CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE SHERATON ANCHORAGE HOTEL AND SPA OCTOBER 19–22. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL THERE.

sure you designate ARWA for your contribution. Link your Freddie’s Rewards account to ARWA by going here: www.fredmeyer.com/ communityrewards (our organization is CB055). We don’t get much, but every little bit helps us in our efforts to fulfill our mission.

Lastly, remember that if you are in need of just a few CEU credits to renew your operator’s certification, we offer online training that can fulfill that need.

Go to our website (www.arwa.org) and click on the top right menu where it says “Online Training.” These courses have been fully approved for CEU credit by ADEC. If your system is a current member, you can receive a $30 discount per course. We are also working on adding an ARWA merchandise store to our website, so stay tuned for that!

Looking forward to a fabulous summer season in our great state!

INVESTING IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY

By Sarah Ramey, Source Water Protection Specialist, sarah@arwa.org

Several months ago, I received an article titled Tapping Potential: The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure. When I took a quick look at it, admittedly, I was intimidated by the technical nature of all the language and all the billions of dollars being thrown around. I am an operator at heart, and this 67-page article felt over my head on many levels. But I held on to it with the idea that one day I was going to attempt to understand the funding for water and wastewater systems, no matter how unprepared it made me feel. The article was sponsored by nine organizations that banded together to get the publication out. One of which was the National Rural Water Association and was, most likely, how I obtained it through the WaterPro online community. In this article I am going to do my best to try and interpret the history of public water and wastewater federal funding,

the benefits economically both locally and to the value contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GPD), and the direct correlation between the benefits to health and vitality of communities. I also would like to touch on the financial costs associated with infrastructure failures, which is always a case of when, and not if, it happens.

Water infrastructure or the systems and facilities that deliver clean water and manage wastewater are essential to daily life as we know it. Though often invisible in daily routines, these assets are the backbone of public health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability. Investing in water infrastructure yields substantial economic benefits that ripple across local, regional, and national economies. In 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provided longoverdue funding that had been lacking

for over 40 years. Below is a graph showing the federal funding levels from 1957 to 2023. Interestingly, the federal funding picked up dramatically after the Safe Drinking Water Act was passed in 1974 and the Clean Water Act which was dramatically modified in 1972 from its original form in 1948.

One of the most immediate benefits of water infrastructure investment is job creation. Planning, designing, building, upgrading, and maintaining water systems demand skilled labor – from engineers and construction workers to project managers and technicians. These projects generate employment across sectors and stimulate economic activity in related industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and professional services.

According to economic multipliers from infrastructure research, every dollar spent on water infrastructure can generate several dollars in economic

output, making these investments highly effective at stimulating growth, especially in times of economic downturn.

Reliable water systems provide safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment, significantly reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases. Investing in modern, wellmaintained infrastructure helps prevent contamination, protects communities from outbreaks, and reduces longterm public health costs. Healthier populations are more productive, take fewer sick days, and incur lower healthcare expenses, and all these benefits translate into economic savings for families, employers, and government programs.

Water is a fundamental input for many industries, including manufacturing, energy, agriculture, data centers, and hospitality. Reliable water services ensure that businesses can operate efficiently without costly disruptions. Farmers require dependable water supply systems that support irrigation and livestock operations, improving crop yields and agricultural output. For manufacturers and tech firms consistent water quality and availability are critical to production processes. Investments in infrastructure reduce risks of shortages and outages, encouraging business investment and expansion within communities.

Aging water infrastructure is vulnerable to breakdowns, leaks, and failure during extreme weather events. Let’s face it, if most of the infrastructure was developed in the 1970s and 1980s these plants are getting old and worn out even with the best operations taking place daily. Think of it this way, these plants were never intended to “live” forever without

large amounts of capital improvements. Also, there is hardly a community utility out there that doesn’t change in dynamics every ten years or so. Increases in populations, wear and tear on equipment, change in water source, or more stringent discharge regulations are often the drivers for reinvestment. Everything in our world has a certain life span and our water infrastructure is no different. These failures can impose significant economic costs from disrupting commerce to damaging property and delaying emergency services. By investing in resilient and modern systems, communities can reduce the frequency and severity of service disruptions, saving money that would otherwise be spent on emergency repairs and economic losses due to downtime. Climate-resilient water infrastructure also helps communities adapt to changing conditions, such as increased flooding or drought, protecting local economies from climate-related risks.

Water infrastructure investments often include upgrades to improve efficiency, reduce waste, protect health, and protect ecosystems. For example, repairing leaky pipes reduces water loss and prevents potentially running out of water; improved stormwater systems reduce pollution in rivers and coastal areas, and advanced treatment technologies protect aquatic life and public health.

Healthy ecosystems contribute to economic value through recreation, tourism, property value enhancement, and natural resource preservation. By safeguarding water quality and ecosystem services, infrastructure investments ensure long-term sustainable economic benefits.

Communities with modern, dependable water systems are more attractive to new businesses and residents. Reliable infrastructure signals stability and quality of life, one factor that businesses consider when choosing where to locate operations. Investments in water infrastructure can therefore enhance economic competitiveness, drawing talent and capital to regions that prioritize infrastructure improvements.

Water infrastructure investments also support social equity by ensuring all communities, including underserved and rural areas, have access to safe, reliable water services. Access to this essential service is foundational for education, health, and economic strength. Equitable infrastructure investment helps level economic disparities and supports growth across communities.

Investing in water infrastructure is more than a public service it’s a powerful economic strategy. From creating jobs and boosting productivity to protecting public health and enhancing resilience, the economic benefits of smart infrastructure investment are profound and long-lasting.

As policymakers and communities consider priorities for public spending, water infrastructure should stand out not just for its role in daily life, but also for its capacity to drive sustainable economic growth. The financial costs of not investing in water infrastructure can be immense and compound over time, affecting households, businesses, and governments alike. These costs extend beyond immediate repair expenses. They ripple through the entire economy in the form of reduced productivity, increased health costs, and environmental degradation. Looking at the costs for not investing in water infrastructure opens doors to numerous deficiencies. Aging infrastructure whether it be water and wastewater pipes, treatment plants, or dams becomes more expensive to maintain the longer it’s neglected. Emergency repairs often cost three to five times more than planned upgrades. Leaks in a distribution system cause property damage and shortages of available safe water forcing municipalities and homeowners to pay for costly remediation.

Manufacturers, energy producers, and agriculture depend on reliable water delivery to their doorstep daily. Water disruptions cause production to

Graph from Tapping Potential: The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure.

FROM CREATING JOBS AND BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY TO PROTECTING

PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE, THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF SMART INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT ARE PROFOUND AND LONG-LASTING.

halt and supply chain interruptions. For instance, a day long water outage in a major industrial zone can incur millions in lost output. This can lead to loss of investor confidence. Being known as a community that cannot provide reliable water supply can deter companies from doing business within your community. It can also prevent contractors from building additional housing within your city limits causing housing shortages for elders or new families.

Households bear higher water bills as utilities try to finance deferred maintenance. If water is being lost which causes higher electrical costs associated with pumping or chemical costs due to the treated water being lost, the end result is the end users have to foot that bill. Eventually the residents and companies within your system will start to push back. Water quality degradation from old

or failing systems have the potential to increase medical bills and may cause distrust in the water system that resort in residents purchasing bottled water. Poor infrastructure can lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases, which drive up health care costs. The CDC estimates that water-related illness costs the U.S. over $1 billion annually, much of which could be avoided with better investment. Eventually this can affect property values to drop in areas with unreliable water supply or water that does not meet the current regulations.

Weak infrastructure leads to pollution of rivers, lakes, and groundwater which results in increasing future water treatment costs. During droughts or floods insufficient treatment systems or stormwater systems intensify damages. Each major flood event can cause $5 to 10 billion

in losses. Energy costs rise since inefficient systems require more power per gallon of treated water. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimates that failing to close the water infrastructure funding gap could cost the U.S. $2.9 trillion in lost GDP by 2039, $7.7 trillion in cumulative business sales losses, and hundreds of thousands of jobs lost due to unreliable water and wastewater utilities.

Funding was made available through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It is hard to say how long this funding resource will be around. The article that piqued my interest in the history and funding resources can be found by searching for: Tapping Potential: The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure

Now is the time to act. Visit https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure to get started.

2026

SCOMPLIANCE BEGINS

By Kevin Schoneman, Circuit Rider, kevin@arwa.org

pring and summer are just a few months away now. There is one way to confirm this – the 2026 State of Alaska Drinking Water monitoring summaries are beginning to be posted on the Drinking Water Watch website. The website has changed slightly with a little different look (Drinking Water Data) and more options for tracking information. One new feature on the Drinking Water Website is the Sanitary Survey Map. It is located in the Sanitary Survey Section just below the Current Sanitary Survey List. If your system is due for an upcoming Sanitary Survey and you would like ARWA to complete your survey, reach out to ARWA’s Office Manager, Kelly Comerford (kelly@arwa.org).

The summaries are especially important to review by the operators and administrators. Systems may have submitted samples that did not, for whatever reason, make it into the database. On more than one occasion there have been errors found, and I would strongly suggest someone from each system contact your assigned Environmental Program Specialist if missing data is noticed. Most operators know their assigned EPS, but if you don’t just simply scroll down to the bottom of you Monitoring Summary and your assigned EPS is listed there with the

contact information. If you or your system would like any help finding this important information, call any of us at ARWA and we will be happy to help you to navigate to this summary. Very Important for 2026–2028, if your system has an existing SOC (Synthetic Organic Compound) waiver on file with the DEC, it is imperative you update this waiver as soon as you can. For the existing waivers on file, the application is due by September 30, 2026. So, if your system had a waiver on file for the 2023-2025 cycle, it is very important to renew your waiver and, of course, pay the renewal fee. If the waiver expires, you will be on the hook for completing the SOC testing requirement. This test is kind of complicated and tricky, not to mention expensive, at the current market price of $3,400. Save yourself and your system this trouble and cost and get the application in soon so your EPS can review your application and help you with any areas that you might be unsure of. There is also another requirement that kicks off about this time of the year. Yes, it’s CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) time. ARWA has staff members that can help with submitting the proper information in time for the cut off dates. The CCR is a bit time consuming and can be a little difficult. However, the CCR is a requirement of the Safe Drinking Water Act and could

create a violation if it is not posted in a timely manner or if the CCR is missing mandated information. The CCR is somewhat of a “report card” of the drinking water system and how the water system is doing on compliance. It’s actually a good chance for the system to communicate with the users with regard to challenges the system may be experiencing. Most residents do not ever give their drinking water systems much attention, unless there is a problem. Generally, if they open the tap and water flows, all is good. The CCR is usually an excellent opportunity to inform users how the system’s operators and administrators intend to correct any deficiencies that may be identified in the CCR. In many instances the water users may be totally unaware of the challenges water systems in Alaska face on a regular basis. The CCR is due every year by June 30, so now would be a great time to get started on your CCR.

Finally, one more item on the new monitoring summary to check is your next due date year for your sanitary survey. The sanitary survey is the very first item on the summary. If yours is due this year and you would like ARWA to complete the survey for you, contact kelly@arwa.org immediately. Our list is filling up quickly so act soon!

Have a great close out of winter!

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TINVISIBLE THREATS:

HOW MICROPLASTICS ARE RESHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

By Nicholas Sena, Wastewater Training & Technical Assistance Specialist, nicholas@arwa.org

iny and often invisible to the naked eye, microplastics have evolved from obscure scientific curiosities to one of the most pervasive and concerning forms of pollution on Earth. Defined as plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters in size, these particles now permeate oceans, rivers, soil, the air we breathe, and even our bodies. Their undetectable presence stems from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, shed fibers from synthetic cloths, fabrics, and intentionally manufactured microscopic plastics used in industrial and consumer products.

Microplastics are the quintessential emerging contaminants in the environment. These pollutants are not historically regulated or well understood, yet increasingly recognized for their potential harm. They originate from products such as packaging, tires, paints, and clothing fibers. Through environmental processes, these larger plastics break down into persistent microscopic pieces that resist biodegradation.

In aquatic ecosystems, microplastics accumulate across bodies of water worldwide. Scientists estimate that trillions of particles drift in oceans, where they act as vectors, absorbing and transporting toxic chemicals such as PFAS and heavy metals, magnifying

their ecological impact. Once ingested by organisms from microscopic plankton to fish and shellfish, microplastics can cause physical and chemical stress that disrupts essential biological processes. Marine and freshwater organisms are on the front lines of this pollution crisis:

• Ingestion and physiological harm: Microscopically small plastic pieces are consumed by algae, crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. These particles can block digestive tracts, impair nutrient absorption, and trigger oxidative stress, metabolic disruption, immune dysfunction, and DNA damage.

• Food web transfer: Because microplastics can carry adsorbed contaminants, their ingestion magnifies the risk of chemical toxicity across trophic levels, potentially leading to reproductive issues, behavioral changes, and reduced fitness.

• Ecosystem impacts: Studies show that microplastics physically alter water properties and can reduce the capacity of foundational species such as algae to perform photosynthesis, undermining carbon cycling and food supply chains in aquatic ecosystems.

Even highly visible species are not spared. Recent research on fiddler crabs has shown they ingest and fragment microplastics, creating even smaller particles (nanoplastics) that may more readily enter food webs and bioaccumulate up the chain, including potentially into seafood consumed by humans.

Human Health: Invisible but Invasive

Though still a young field of research, evidence is mounting that microplastics pose potential risks to human health:

• Ingestion: Microplastics have been found in seafood, drinking water, salt, and even in human tissues. Gastrointestinal uptake is one of the primary exposures for most people.

• Inhalation: A recent study suggests humans may inhale tens of thousands of microplastic particles daily, tiny enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and possibly enter the bloodstream.

• Dermal contact: Particles present in water and soil may contact the skin, with yet poorly understood implications for systemic exposure.

Health Concerns Under Study

Microplastics themselves may contribute to oxidative stress, immune disruption, genotoxic effects, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and organ

dysfunction. They can also leach hazardous additives or carry adsorbed pollutants and pathogens into the body. While definitive causal links to specific diseases in humans remain under active investigation, early evidence underscores the urgency of this issue.

Wastewater Treatment:

A Leaky Barrier

Wastewater treatment plants are designed to remove organic waste and pathogens from sewage, but microplastics escape many treatment processes. Research shows facilities can reduce microplastic loads significantly, yet complete removal is not attainable with existing technology.

Particles often slip through treatment filters and discharge into receiving waters, where they continue to cycle through aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, microplastics can carry other residual pollutants such as bisphenols, PFAS, and pharmaceuticals, which further complicate water quality and human exposure risks.

Even when captured, microplastics can persist in wastewater sludge,

often used as agricultural fertilizer that introduces them into soils, crops, and the broader environment, underscoring the interconnected nature of this contamination challenge.

Toward Solutions, Policy, and Awareness

Addressing microplastic pollution requires action on multiple fronts:

• Upstream reduction: Reducing plastic production and use, especially single-use plastics and synthetic textiles that release microfibers.

• Technological innovation: Advancing wastewater treatment technologies and filters that can capture smaller particles, including emerging techniques like membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, and biodegradable materials.

• Policy and regulation: Global treaties and local policies aimed at curbing plastic pollution, including requirements for washing machine microfiber filters, are gaining traction as research highlights the urgency of prevention.

Public engagement: Consumer choice, proper waste management, and support for sustainable materials all play a significant role in reducing microplastic emissions at the source.

Conclusion:

A Challenge of the Tiny but Terrible Microplastics may be small, but their reach is vast, from the depths of the oceans to the air we breathe and the food we eat. They disrupt ecosystems, challenge human health research communities, and expose the limitations of our wastewater systems. As research progresses, one thing is clear: tackling microplastic pollution demands global cooperation, scientific innovation, and swift action to protect the health of both the planet and its inhabitants.

If current trends continue unchecked, the legacy of plastic production, once hailed as a hallmark of modern convenience and even called fantastic, plastic may be remembered as one of the most insidious environmental challenges of the 21st century.

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THE LAST OF WINTER

AND LOOKING TO

SPRING

IBy Jordan Cameron, Circuit Rider, jordan@arwa.org

t has been a real Alaskan winter for most folks this year. Places with cold that was 10° or colder for weeks on end. It’s easy for people to forget that it can get deep cold. The frigid temps put a lot of stress on infrastructure, not just on the home front. It’s quite common for people to have pipes freeze in the walls of buildings or in the floor. Sometimes it freezes just outside the house in the ground or out in the street. Heat trace fails or heating systems run out of fuel.

A lot of times, this is merely an inconvenience because of an open vent in a crawl space or a connected hose bib that has frozen. Other times, it’s a poor installation on a buried line. Either way, it is with due diligence the situation can be avoided, but people let those things happen. I know I have to myself, it’s just

human nature. We make mistakes. Those mistakes can put a whole water system at risk sometimes.

One recent example was a rather large community that was fixing to have a water crisis as the well pumps could not keep up with the demand. It was discovered on the weekend, of course, that the treatment facility was in a deficit and would soon run out of water because the well pumps were not able to keep up. Public works had gone out in the community and searched the streets and businesses looking for a leak that was estimated to be at 150 gpm. With the mainline pressure as it was, it was figured the hole was somewhere around a 1.5"–2". Leak detection equipment was called in and the hunt was on, searching

subdivisions and long pipe runs hoping for a breakthrough. The city put out posts on social media, hoping people would see or hear something different at their residences. Still nothing.

After four days, it was looking like the operator would have to turn off parts of town, or the whole town would be running out. The city manager was even out helping to look for leaks.

Then, while the leak detection crew was listening to a service line, the city manager said he found it. The BIG leak! What a relief for everyone. The leak was found at a processing facility’s cook shack. The place had been winterized and the heat turned off. The water service was still on, but they had relied on heat trace to keep the main line from freezing and breaking. Dual heat trace failed, and the shutoff valve was pushed off by the ice.

The city’s well pumps caught back up and the crisis was over, but what a lesson for all! Heat trace can’t be relied on; it still gets cold cold and people make mistakes.

I’m glad the leak was found above ground and the ground didn’t have to be dug up. Thankfully, people didn’t have to do without water.

In the future, places that are not heated need to be closely watched if the water service is still on. Maybe public works should be critical of places that are normally turned off and one year the owner chooses not to. If a facility has a watchman, the public works crew needs to have the watchman show them all the water connections at the facility to verify they are secure.

The fact is, the processor put the whole community at risk. Had there been a fire at that time, the engines might not have had enough water to fight a building fire. The company either didn’t ensure the watchman checked the heat trace daily, or the watchman was deficient in duty. We’ll never know how long it was frozen, but the one time it warmed up to 40° was when the pipe let go and the water started flowing.

People are quick to assume the buried infrastructure is the issue, but so many times it is what’s above ground that is the issue.

With that small disaster behind us, we can look forward to spring. It’ll be here soon enough that we can quickly forget about the cold till next time.

Sign up for a free trial, or request a proposal for your next Board or Council meeting. We’ll launch your new website and alerting system within only 3 business days, then show you how to make updates or post alerts yourself, anytime you like. Need help? No problem – Support is unlimited, and satisfaction is guaranteed!

Alaska Training Coalition Calendar

Through collaboration with ADEC Division of Water, we are providing you with the most up-to-date training information for the State of Alaska. We hope this is helpful for you to fulfill your training needs. If you are interested in a particular course, you must call the contact listed to register for the course. Training classes may be canceled or rescheduled at the discretion of the instructor. Per Board Policy 2016-01, training must be at least one hour long to be eligible for CEUs.

APRIL

6 – May 1 Level 2 Water Treatment

This class is intended for operators who hold Level 1 Water Treatment certifications and work at systems that require Level 2 Water Treatment certification.

The course will be held on the Zoom platform from April 6 – May 1, 2026, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

At the conclusion of the course, operators can take their State of Alaska, Level 2 Water Treatment Exam in their home communities.

Please register before March 9, 2026 to reserve a place in the course.

20–24 Level 1 Water Treatment & Distribution

For operators working with class 1 systems or higher. Must have taken Introduction to Small Water Systems and passed the Small Treated Exam. Register by April 3, 2026.

27–30 2026 AWWMA Annual Conference

A Save the Date and a Call for Presentations is posted on the AWWMA website Registration is open! https://awwma.com/conferences

MAY

5–7 Boiler Maintenance & Repair

Boiler electrical controls troubleshooting, boiler gun setup, efficiency testing, common issues troubleshooting. Practice skills in a safe and active learning environment with hands-on activities using real-world components on boiler models. Register by April 17, 2026

Introductory courses that “qualify” the attendee for a provisional level certification upon passing the provisional level certification exam and applying for certification. The Provisional Level exams may be administered on the last day of the course.

Courses other than introductory courses that will have exams administered on the last day of the course.

Webinars/webcasts that are NOT approved for the CEU credit unless prior arrangements have been made with the Operator Certification Program.

Online 3.0 DW Core ANTHC Brian Berube

Bethel 3.4 Core YKHC Sarah Sixberry

AWWMA Angie Monteleone

Bethel 2.0 Core YKHC Sarah Sixberry