Grantee Research Project Results
2024 Progress Report: Building Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in Alaska Native Communities by Reducing Health Risks from Water Infrastructure, Quality, and Security
EPA Grant Number: R840482Title: Building Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in Alaska Native Communities by Reducing Health Risks from Water Infrastructure, Quality, and Security
Investigators: Poleacovschi, Cristina , Ikuma, Kaoru , Weems, Carl , Sela, Polina , Hill, Christina Gish , Feinstein, Scott
Institution: Iowa State University , The University of Texas at Austin
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2022 through May 10, 2025
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2023 through August 31,2024
Project Amount: $1,350,000
RFA: Cumulative Health Impacts at the Intersection of Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Vulnerable Populations/Lifestages: Community-Based Research for Solutions (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Justice , Human Health
Objective:
This study plans to assess the relationships between diverse climate-induced concerns related to water infrastructure and water and its effects on health in Alaska Native communities. Importantly, the project also aims at building adaptive capacity to climate change risks by addressing the issues of water infrastructure in Alaska Native communities. We hypothesize that climate change affects local water infrastructure (e.g. pipe leaks and breaks), which leads to poor water quality and water insecurity. Water quality, water insecurity and local vulnerabilities will directly affect health outcomes of Indigenous people. In a holistic manner, this project captures health outcomes based on health indicators, mental health indicators and non-Western perspective of health outcomes. The three-year project will specifically propose achieving the following objectives: Identify the effects of climate change on water infrastructure, quality and insecurity (Objective 1); Identify the cumulative effects of water quality, water insecurity and local vulnerabilities on health (Objective 2); Build adaptive capacity to climate change through community-based adaptation (Objective 3).
Progress Summary:
Objective 1
Significant progress has been made in identifying the effects of climate change on water infrastructure, quality, and insecurity in Alaska Native communities. For Task 1.1, historical data analysis of a Norton Sound community's water system operations and performance has been conducted to evaluate the impacts of climate trends and weather events. Insights from this analysis informed the completion of a paper summarizing challenges in remote Alaskan water services, focusing on operations and maintenance, which has been submitted for review.
In Task 1.2, a second round of tap water sampling in Unalakleet was completed in April 2024, following the initial sampling in May 2023. This effort focused on understanding seasonal variations in water quality during the winter months when water circulates through distribution loops to prevent freezing. Samples were collected from 17 homes, and results from the first round of testing were shared with community members, fostering transparency and collaboration. Task 1.3 involved comprehensive data collection through structured surveys and in-depth interviews with 63 Unalakleet residents. The surveys addressed water source preferences, trust in various sources, treatment methods, and consumption behaviors, while open-ended interviews provided qualitative insights into these topics. This approach revealed critical factors influencing trust in water sources and behaviors surrounding water use, enriching the understanding of water insecurity in the community. We have also written a paper, now under review, examining the link between incomplete plumbing access and adverse health outcomes in the United States based on insights gained from Alaska Native communities like Unalakleet.
Objective 2
Significant progress has been made in understanding the cumulative effects of water quality, water insecurity, and local vulnerabilities on health. Data collected through surveys in Unalakleet captured socio-economic and demographic factors, such as gender, income, education, and housing, revealing how these variables influence trust in water sources, treatment behaviors, and perceptions of water insecurity. Efforts to gather health data using validated tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire and CES-D faced ethical approval challenges, leading to the development of a statewide survey to assess the relationship between water insecurity and health outcomes across Alaska. This broader approach will provide valuable insights into health disparities related to water insecurity, guiding future interventions.
Objective 3
Significant progress has been made in building adaptive capacity to climate change through water infrastructure improvements and community-based adaptation. The project has documented and digitized water supply systems and operating procedures, creating a hydraulic model to provide performance insights and support decision-making. Additional data analysis of remote monitoring systems identified ways to improve operational decisions and detect issues such as leaks and inefficiencies. Collaboration with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium ensured the analysis is accurate and actionable for communities, with tools developed using open-source software for broader applicability.Community-based efforts included sharing preliminary findings with stakeholders in Unalakleet, including the City Administrator, Housing Director, and Tribal Council, to align research with local priorities. An Outreach Advisory Board was established, engaging local educators, engineers, and community leaders in activities such as a planned STEM camp for K-12 students. The camp, scheduled for June 2025, will offer interactive lessons on water protection, treatment, and quality testing to inspire interest in STEM fields and empower students with practical knowledge. These initiatives emphasize community involvement and education as integral components of adaptive capacity building.
Future Activities:
Future activities will focus on expanding the analysis of climate change impacts on water infrastructure by pairing operational data with historical weather events, including Typhoon Merbok, and extending these studies to other Norton Sound communities. Continued analysis of survey data and follow-up interviews will deepen understanding of water utilization practices, trust, and vulnerabilities. A statewide health survey will be conducted to assess the relationship between water insecurity and physical and mental health outcomes. Efforts to build adaptive capacity will include developing a system model for real-time event detection and creating performance scorecards for community water systems. Community engagement will remain central, with the Community Advisory Board providing feedback and the Outreach Advisory Board supporting initiatives like the planned STEM camp for K-12 students in Unalakleet. These efforts aim to enhance education, awareness, and community resilience through culturally tailored and participatory approaches.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.