Understanding Differences in User Preferences Across Water Systems in Rural Alaska

Rural Alaskan water systems present unique challenges which differ from water systems in the contiguous United States. For instance, while prior literature is focused on piped water systems, water provision in rural Alaska is a multifaceted endeavor, whereby water is delivered not just via piped but also hauled and traditional methods. This study seeks to understand whether there are different sets of preferences attached to each of these water delivery methods. This paper uses qualitative interviews with 40 end-users in the YK Delta to identify relevant preferences across each of these systems based upon technical, economic, and social considerations. In terms of overall preferences, initial findings indicate those who use hauled systems are the most vocal of their desire for piped systems, not just for themselves but also for their entire community. In terms of socially driven preferences, while those who prefer hauled (and secondarily piped) methods most worry about water appearance, those preferring traditional methods most worry about taste of chlorine. In terms of technical-driven preferences, hauled and piped users are most concerned about freezing system components (and secondarily about pipe contamination). In terms of economic-driven preferences, while piped and hauled users tend to note their systems are expensive (some saying legitimately so), traditional users tend to note their systems as more affordable; this suggests cost is a differentiator in system choice. Identifying factors that differentiate end-user preferences will help utilities, planners, and decision-makers better select systems that align with the needs and interests of local communities in rural Alaska.