aruc: multi-tribe utility management alaska rural utility collaborative john nichols, pe, aruc...
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ARUC:ARUC:Multi-Tribe Utility ManagementMulti-Tribe Utility Management
Alaska Rural Utility CollaborativeAlaska Rural Utility Collaborative
John Nichols, PE, ARUC ManagerJohn Nichols, PE, ARUC Manager
Health impacts of water/sewerHealth impacts of water/sewer
Building infrastructure is the first stepBuilding infrastructure is the first step
Management of infrastructure is nextManagement of infrastructure is next– Maximize health impact of systemMaximize health impact of system– Reduce true cost to operateReduce true cost to operate– Protect investment (life of system)Protect investment (life of system)
Minimize ‘repair by replacement’Minimize ‘repair by replacement’
Alaska Public Radio: ChevakAlaska Public Radio: Chevak
Structure of ARUCStructure of ARUC 23 Tribes “Strength in Numbers” 23 Tribes “Strength in Numbers” – Centralized billing, parts ordering, Centralized billing, parts ordering,
management, accountingmanagement, accounting– Local labor with central supervisionLocal labor with central supervision– Finances: Each Tribe a stand-alone nonprofitFinances: Each Tribe a stand-alone nonprofit– Rates vary per Tribe: must cover expensesRates vary per Tribe: must cover expenses– Emergency repair reserve Emergency repair reserve – Advisory Board member from each TribeAdvisory Board member from each Tribe
Non-paying customers disconnectedNon-paying customers disconnected
Southwest membersSouthwest members
Chignik LagoonChignik Lagoon
Chignik LakeChignik Lake
NewhalenNewhalen
South NaknekSouth Naknek
New StuyahokNew Stuyahok
TyonekTyonek
Northwest membersNorthwest members
GolovinGolovin
Saint MichaelSaint Michael
SavoongaSavoonga
SelawikSelawik
KianaKiana
AmblerAmbler
KobukKobuk
NoorvikNoorvik
YK Delta membersYK Delta members
ChevakChevak
Goodnews BayGoodnews Bay
Lower KalskagLower Kalskag
Russian MissionRussian Mission
SleetmuteSleetmute
Toksook BayToksook Bay
Upper KalskagUpper Kalskag
KotlikKotlik
Holy Cross Holy Cross
Advantages of ARUC Advantages of ARUC
Reliability of serviceReliability of service– SelawikSelawik
Provides stability during transitionsProvides stability during transitions– Noorvik & Holy Cross Noorvik & Holy Cross
Operator turnover: 8% vs 75%Operator turnover: 8% vs 75%
Data!!!Data!!!– Improved designs, energy use & monitoringImproved designs, energy use & monitoring
Collaboration & StandardizationCollaboration & Standardization
Challenges for ARUC Challenges for ARUC Responsible for systemResponsible for system– Repairs needed prior to joiningRepairs needed prior to joining– LiabilityLiability– Management costManagement cost
Water/sewer rates increaseWater/sewer rates increase– Adequate maintenance costs moneyAdequate maintenance costs money
Is it worth improved public health?Is it worth improved public health?
Skin infection rates in YK Delta vs Skin infection rates in YK Delta vs homes in community with waterhomes in community with water
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Staphylococcusaureus
Methicillin-resistant S.
aureus
Hospitalized
< 10%
10 - 79%
>= 80%
Bethel
Infant HospitalizationInfant Hospitalization
Gastrointestinal mortality rate per 100,000 population (age-adjusted)
Postneonatal mortality rate per 1,000 births
Percent of homes having sanitation facilities
Gastrointestinal and postneonatal* mortality rates compared with percent of American Indian and Alaska Native homes having sanitation facilities
* 29 days to one year of age
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Gastroenteric Death Rate Per 100,000 pop.
Post neonatal mortality rate per 1000 live births
% Homes with Sanitation Facilities
Provide good Provide good water every day water every day to rural Alaskato rural Alaska
Ensure our Ensure our Tribes never go Tribes never go back to pre-back to pre-water/sewer water/sewer health statushealth status
ARUC’s purposeARUC’s purpose
Questions?Questions?
ContactsContacts
If interested in ARUC concept, contact me. If interested in ARUC concept, contact me.
John Nichols, ARUC ManagerJohn Nichols, ARUC Manager
ANTHCANTHC
(907) 729-5695(907) 729-5695