A Drop of Knowledge

KOTZEBUE, Alaska — After weeks of punishing Arctic temperatures in the winter of 2024, residents served by the Swan Lake Water Loop in Kotzebue, Alaska, met a harsh reality: their water had stopped running. For this predominantly Iñupiat community of 3,100 situated on a narrow sand spit above the Arctic Circle, it was the second major water crisis in less than a year. 

The first emergency began in late 2022, when anaerobic bacteria—a bacteria that does not cause health problems—infiltrated the pipeline from Devil’s Lake, Kotzebue’s primary water source. Iron and manganese levels rose, clogging filters just as the city was bringing its new water treatment plant online. 

Before that situation could be fully resolved, back-to-back blizzards in March 2023 buried the town under historic snowfall, knocking out power across the community. With electricity down, the water treatment plant’s pumps stopped—a vulnerability made worse because the backup generator had not yet been installed at the new facility. 

Then came the Swan Lake Water Loop crisis. The emergency began on Feb. 5, 2024, when an extreme cold period caused the water main and many service lines to freeze. This disruption cut water service to approximately 190 homes. Some households went without running water for almost two months before their service line was thawed. 

“Once a water main freezes, all the services connected to the main can freeze too,” explained Greg Magee, a Small Utility Engineering Consultant with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) who has over three decades of experience working in Alaska on rural water systems. “That’s tough.” 

Throughout both emergencies, community members demonstrated remarkable adaptability. During the Swan Lake Loop freeze, the city provided bottled water and access to a watering point at the water treatment plant. Many resorted to getting water from neighbors who were not affected or from cutting and melting lake ice for basic household needs. Local schools opened locker rooms so residents could shower. 

“They’re determined,” said Magee. “One disaster after another, and they just came back fighting.” 

The crisis drained the city coffers. The price tag for temporary repairs to the plant amounted to nearly $100,000 and a whopping $1.35 million to fix the Swan Lake Loop. However, a full replacement of the loop would cost up to $30 million. With limited funds available, city officials declared a local emergency and successfully secured additional disaster declarations from both borough and state governments. 

For help navigating the complex world of federal disaster assistance, Kotzebue turned to RCAC. Magee helped the city apply for two grants through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG) program, which provides up to $150,000 to help rural communities recover from drinking water emergencies. 

“ECWAG can only cover part of the costs, but every bit helps,” Magee noted. “Small villages don’t have a lot of revenue sources — primarily state revenue sharing funds and maybe a sales tax.” 

With RCAC’s guidance, Kotzebue submitted two grant applications in November 2024: $99,242 to reimburse the treatment plant repairs and $150,000 toward the $1.35 million cost to thaw the Swan Lake Loop. Both applications are still under review by USDA Rural Development and pending final approval. 

Throughout remote Alaska, communities like Kotzebue struggle with similar infrastructure challenges: water systems constructed decades ago now showing their age, all while battling some of the harshest weather conditions in North America. In the case of the Swan Lake Water Loop, engineers had already identified vulnerabilities and were designing improvements, but the extreme cold struck before these upgrades could be put in place. 

Kotzebue continues to face water quality challenges. In February 2025, the city issued a public notice about elevated manganese levels related to the original Devil’s Lake contamination. Meanwhile, a full replacement of the Swan Lake Loop is estimated at $30 million—funding the community will need significant outside assistance to secure. 

Despite these challenges, Kotzebue continues its efforts to rebuild. The town has already secured capital funds for permanent repairs to the water treatment plant. Local contractors supported public works teams during the crisis, demonstrating the community’s self-reliance when facing overwhelming challenges. 

Yet local ingenuity alone is not enough. Without support from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) network, communities like Kotzebue would face significant hurdles in accessing federal funding. The complex application process for USDA programs requires expertise that small communities often lack, especially when local staff are already managing emergency repairs and maintaining essential services. As RCAP’s western regional partner, RCAC has played a crucial role in helping Kotzebue navigate these waters and secure the funding necessary to rebuild and strengthen its water infrastructure. 

Across rural Alaska, towns continue managing with infrastructure that was built decades ago, all while facing increasingly extreme weather conditions. For communities with limited resources, securing funding is about more than just fixing what is broken—it’s about survival. 

“It’s a continuous process,” Magee said, reflecting on his decades of work with Alaska communities, “One step at a time, that’s how these systems eventually get repaired and replaced.” 

This article is funded by USDA under RCAP’s Technitrain 2024-2025 grant. 

In today’s ever evolving world, it is crucial to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. According to a recent study by McKinsey & Co., over 70% of American Millennials define their sense of purpose through work. Millennials seek opportunities to make meaningful contributions that align with their broader values. Working in water infrastructure offers diverse opportunities to contribute positively to society while allowing those in the field to enjoy a fulfilling and impactful career. However, attracting young professionals, including the emerging Generation Z workforce, to the water industry has proven challenging. So, what steps can your utility take to attract new talent? 

First and foremost, meet young workers where they are. Traditional methods, such as posting job openings solely on community or government websites, are no longer effective. Water utilities and communities need to expand their outreach by partnering with educational institutions such as high schools, colleges, and universities. Raising awareness of career opportunities through workshops, internships, job fairs, and industry events can help illuminate the exciting and impactful career paths available in water management.  

Employee expectations have also changed and to attract young talent; it is essential to highlight the potential for career advancement, ongoing professional development, and continuous learning in the water infrastructure sector. The water industry is rapidly evolving, with advancements in technology playing a key role in driving efficiency and sustainability. By offering training programs, mentorship opportunities, and access to technology, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to nurturing the next generation of water professionals. Young professionals passionate about innovation and sustainability can find a perfect fit in this dynamic field.  

Young professionals are increasingly concerned about environmental issues and sustainability in their career field. By emphasizing the environmental impact of water infrastructure projects and the role they play in preserving natural resources, small utilities can appeal to environmentally conscious individuals looking to make a positive difference in the world. From smart water meters to advanced treatment processes, there are endless possibilities to make the difference job seekers are looking for in their careers. 

Bringing young people into the water infrastructure industry is crucial for driving innovation, sustainability, and growth. While wages will always be an issue for smaller utility systems, they can compete by leveraging technology, promoting career development, seeking candidates with environmental awareness, and collaborating with local educational institutions. Rural and community utilities need to be just as forward thinking as other industries to attract the next generation of talented water professionals. Having the right people in place can go a long way to solving potential issues and helping future proof a system against upcoming problems. The importance of good operators cannot be overstated and should not be overlooked by smaller systems when looking towards the future of community water supply. 

This article is funded under RCAP’s EPA NPA 1 2023 – 2025 grant. 

How many operators truly understand breakpoint chlorination? Both new and experienced operators continue to face challenges in comprehending its significance and determining whether their system has achieved an adequate residual level. Breakpoint chlorination is not simply about attaining an arbitrary free chlorine concentration. It is, in fact, defined as “the point at which enough chlorine has been added to a quantity of water to satisfy its disinfecting demand” (Breakpoint Chlorination). 

While newer operators are still familiarizing themselves with the concept of breakpoint chlorination, even seasoned professionals often find it difficult to fully grasp its implications. Furthermore, how can operators be certain that their system has reached an adequate residual level? This question warrants further consideration. To clarify, breakpoint chlorination is not about reaching a random free chlorine value but about ensuring the system is properly disinfected and the required demand has been met. 

Stage 1:  Chlorine Demand 

In this stage, chlorine is first introduced to water where it will react with reducing agents like hydrogen sulfide, iron, and manganese.  During this stage, all the chlorine is consumed by the reducing agents which will result in no free chlorine residual.  This is known as “Zone 1” of the breakpoint chlorination curve. 

Stage 2:  Formation of Chlororganics and Chloramines 

It is well documented that ammonia is present in water.  Because of that, as chlorine is increased, it will begin to react with ammonia to produce monochloramine, dichloramine, and trichloramine. Many communities disinfect with chloramines because chloramines maintain a residual longer in a long distribution system. The major drawback with chloramines includes taste and odor issues as well as they are a less effective disinfectant. This is known as “Zone 2” of the breakpoint chlorination curve. 

Stage 3:  Destruction of Chlororganics and Chloramines to Breakpoint 

Here is where all the chlororganic and chloramine compounds that have been formed begin to break down with the addition of more chlorine.  It is here where customers will complain that there is too much chlorine in the water.  It is also here that when these complaints come in, the chlorine feed does not get decreased but rather increased instead. That is right, that just doesn’t seem to make any sense whatsoever.  Once the compounds are destroyed, the breakpoint curve will drop. Any residual at this point will be total chlorine. This is known as “Zone 3” of the breakpoint chlorination curve. 

Stage 4:  Free Chlorine Residual 

Here in “Zone 4”, the addition of chlorine will be strictly free, available chlorine that is highly effective for disinfection. In this zone, the residual chlorine is present to ensure ongoing protection against recontamination as the water travels throughout the distribution system.  

At the beginning of this article, we stated that many operators are unsure whether their system has reached an adequate residual level. In order to determine whether said system has reached the adequate residual level, collect your instantaneous sample and divide it in half. One of the samples will be tested for total chlorine, while the other needs to be tested for free chlorine.  Once you obtain your residual results, take the free chlorine and divide it by total chlorine then multiply it by 100. If your result is greater than 75% then you have an acceptable chlorine residual level. Although 75% is an acceptable result, your best result will be 80% or greater. 

Free Chlorine ÷ Total Chlorine × 100 = Percent 

This article was funded under RCAP’s EPA NPA 1 23 – 25 grant. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, for every 100 employees in the water, sewage, and other systems-related industries, 5.4 employees sustained injuries. Of those injured, 2.8 out of every 100 employees were injured severely enough to result in missed work, job transfers, or restricted duties (http://bls.gov/web/osh/table-1-industry-rates-national.html). These statistics highlight a clear need for employees to know the potential hazards they may be exposed to and how to protect themselves. 

Water and wastewater treatment employees face various risks and hazards daily, and addressing these risks is vital to ensure the well-being of both employees and citizens of the communities they serve. Safety training is the attempt to inform employees of how to prevent and respond to work-related illness and injury. Safety training can be provided in different formats, such as on-the-job safety equipment training, classroom seminars, online training, and/or videos. Good safety training will inform employees of potential danger on the job and will teach and encourage safe work habits.  

Safety training should be designed to fit the needs of the target audience. Rather than having a standard form of safety training, start with a few fundamentals, and then deal with specific risks to the particular employee. With this in mind, training can include some of the following: 

Proper use of equipment: Train employees on the correct use of any equipment they will be using. Follow that up with a quick observation of the employees using the equipment themselves to ensure comprehension.  

Appropriate storage and equipment and materials: The third leading cause of injury is bodily reactions such as slipping and tripping. A large percentage of these accidents can be avoided by simply keeping walkways clear and work areas clean.  

Handling of hazardous material: Employees should be trained in how to be confident and careful with such materials.  

Reporting procedures: When employees notice an unsafe area or situation on the job, it is important that they know how to report it and have it corrected.  

Responding to injuries on the job: It is inevitable that some injuries will happen on the job. How should employees respond when they or someone else is injured on the job? To whom should they report the injury? If employees need basic first aid skills, include a first aid class as part of the training.  

Working alone: It may not always be possible to send people out in pairs, depending on staffing numbers and the needs of various jobs. This is where Lone Worker Safety Programs provide individuals with the support needed to complete jobs safely. It can be as simple as implementing a check-in schedule to encourage communication between employees and/or supervisors.  

There is no end to the possible topics of safety training. One common practice is to record injuries that have occurred at your workplace in the past year or two and tailor safety training to address those specific issues.   

Not only do you need to record injuries, but you also need to record all training that has been conducted during the year. Review your safety training program annually to gauge your current safety practices, to assess their effectiveness and to identify any other risks that they have yet to address. 

Safety is a number one priority, and maintaining a zero -accident record should be everyone’s goal. 

This article was funded under RCAP’s USDA Technitrain 23 – 25 grant.  

Many small systems find themselves in dire straits during extreme weather events due to improper installation of waterlines during the original construction of the system. These issues often become apparent during events such as droughts, high temperatures, or sub-freezing conditions. In these scenarios, the costs of repairs can be substantial, and affected customers may experience low water pressure or complete service interruptions, leading to diminished customer confidence in the system.   

How can these issues be avoided? 

Ensure your project engineer stays engaged with the system during construction and makes frequent unscheduled visits.  

Hire a qualified project inspector who can interpret the plans and specifications and is confident enough to enforce them. Interview prospective inspectors and have them go through the plans and specifications and demonstrate their ability to understand the requirements. 

Call in the project engineer if needed to give clarification and directions to the contractor. If project inspection is provided by the engineering firm, make sure the inspector is always present during line installation or require the contractor to leave the trench open until it is inspected.  

Require the project inspector to keep a daily diary to include weather and ground conditions, the number of crew members on site each day, the amount of pipe installed each day, notes as to any issues that arise each day, notes regarding any materials delivered, and whether these meet the specifications. This daily diary will be of value when change orders are requested for extra contract days, and if there are any questions as to the quantities of line installed for the monthly pay estimate.  

Schedule regular monthly construction progress meetings to discuss work performed, quantity and quality of work, time schedules, pay estimates, and change orders. If issues are noted during inspections, this is the time to review the plans and specifications and make sure everyone understands what is expected and what will be accepted. 

Require the contractor to make change order requests as changes are needed, and monthly for any requests for a time extension based on weather conditions. Discussing these during the monthly progress meeting can help everyone come to an agreement and help appropriately manage the contingency fund.  

Have someone from the system, such as a board member or operator, take an active role in checking in with the inspector and seeing what work is being done. This person can’t give directions to the contractor but can report to the governing body and project engineer if there are issues noted. This person should attend the monthly progress meeting and if the issues they noticed are not discussed by the project inspector during the meeting, bring this to the engineer’s attention. 

Take pictures or videos. This cannot be stressed enough. If you have pictures of work in progress, you have documentation if the contractor is not meeting the requirements of the contract. Pictures are worth a thousand words. 

In ensuring proper line installation, vigilance and proactive measures are key. By implementing stringent inspection protocols, fostering clear communication channels and maintaining meticulous documentation, small systems can safeguard against future nightmares, ensuring reliable water service and maintaining customer trust, even in the face of extreme weather events. 

This article was funded under RCAP’s USDA Technitrain 23 – 24 grant.  

Municipal Water Leader Magazine recently published an article highlighting RCAP CEO Olga Morales-Pate. The interview’s focus spans across the work RCAP does. As a network of six regional partners that operate across the nation, the needs and challenges of each rural community can vary greatly. What ties this work together, however, are the dedicated staff, partners, and community members who are committed to tackling the obstacles in front of them. “… rural areas have a lot of basic infrastructure needs,” Morales-Pate states. “We need to invest in an intentional way to make those communities resilient, which will benefit the entire country. That is the vision we work for each day, and we do everything we can to make it a reality.”

Click here to read the full article.

Per- and Polyfluorniated substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals used for decades to make non-stick and water-resistant consumer products. Exposure to PFAS through drinking water is a global health concern. In 2021, the city of Glen Dale, West Virginia identified PFAS in their drinking water.

See how this city is battling PFAS contaminants and what their plan is on tackling this issue.

Hysham is a small community of 276 people on the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana. The town has struggled to keep a certified operator and was on a Do-Not-Consume order for more than a year due to the buildup of Manganese in the transmission mains and treatment plant piping. The treatment plant and transmission piping are quite old and need replacement. The Town is pursuing emerging contaminant funding through the SRF program to replace the transmission mains and piping with excess manganese buildup. The town is 53% low to moderate income and is considered disadvantaged by USDA under the Climate Change, Energy, Health, and Legacy Pollution categories. Hysham is in the 90th percentile for heart disease and the 95th percentile for cancer rates. As far as climate change is concerned, Hysham is in the 80-90th percentile for both flood and wildfire risk.

Watch their story and see how the Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) assisted them in getting off the Do-Not-Consume order.

Water utilities are constantly juggling the management of their physical and digital infrastructure. With a myriad of assets ranging from pump stations and storage tanks to valves, hydrants, and pipes, proactive management of these assets can seem insurmountable for operators, particularly those overseeing small to medium-sized systems with limited resources. For staff managing these utilities alone or with minimal assistance, keeping track of numerous assets can feel overwhelming, especially without access to a robust asset management software that offers features such as smart data entry, analytics, and customization. 

Recognizing the need for a comprehensive solution at an affordable price, many water operators in small utility systems are turning to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS not only enables operators to pinpoint assets using GPS coordinates and photos, but also facilitates streamlined recording of operation, maintenance, and inspection records. This data can be easily accessed and analyzed through a real-time asset management dashboard. Therefore, GIS emerges as an indispensable “one-stop shop” for small water utilities, addressing their needs for accurate asset location, asset management, and operational efficiency. Small water systems typically rely on multiple software applications for efficient day-to-day operations of water treatment and distribution. Navigating through these various applications can be challenging for operators, particularly when managing other essential maintenance tasks. For instance, a water system may utilize computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software for meter billing and customer data management, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for monitoring treatment-related assets such as tank levels, chemical levels, and pump performances, as well as software for leak detection or material identification. Given this complexity, it becomes crucial to consolidate distribution-related recordkeeping and asset locating using GIS as a primary software system. This eliminates the need for multiple individual software applications for each specific use, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.  

GIS can handle complex calculations, such as logging critical data during hydrant flushing operations, estimating the water loss during a main break, or recording historical data in a valve exercising program. Moreover, GIS enables visualization and analysis of data from these operations and maintenance activities through various web mapping applications and dashboards. This capability empowers operators to make informed decisions and optimize their system’s performance. Another significant benefit of GIS is its capability to serve as a central repository for various existing data sources. Whether it is as-built engineer records, curb stop tie cards, asset management records, scanned work orders, or other pertinent information, GIS can consolidate this information into one unified location known as a geodatabase. This geodatabase can then be integrated into online web-based GIS layers, offering a digital representation of each asset on the map. These layers include tabular descriptions, tables, attachments, and photos, providing a comprehensive and easily accessible database for efficient data management. The versatility of GIS software makes it ideal for small water systems, eliminating the need to purchase separate software for each individual operations and maintenance task. GIS can be recognized as the “last stop” in a water operator’s journey to managing their physical and digital infrastructures.  

This article was funded under RCAP’s EPA NPA 1 23 – 25 grant.