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This dataset includes anonymized interview data about the provision of water services in rural Alaska, focused on holistically understanding water service challenges using a systems approach. Eighteen semi-structured interviews with 19 stakeholders involved in the provision of water services in rural Alaska are included. These interviews were conducted from January 25th to June 28th, 2021. Interviews were conducted via teleconferencing or phone and were recorded (with permission), transcribed, checked for quality, and anonymized. Interview data was analyzed using a deductive-inductive qualitative content analysis. The data supported the following research objectives: 1) identify challenges within the financial, human, natural, and technical systems involved in the provision of water services in rural Alaska, and 2) use a systems thinking approach to identify interdependencies between systems.
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How Are Alaskan Water Systems Interdependent with Other Infrastructure? A Systematic Literature Review
The provision of water services is critical to ensure the vitality of Alaskan communities. Water systems in Alaska operate differently than those in the contiguous US given the Arctic climate, remote geography, and unique workforce limitations. For example, some communities rely on water delivered using trucks, and many households use traditional sources (e.g., rainwater, ice melt). This unique context reconfigures how water systems relate to other critical infrastructure services (CISs), such as transportation and electricity. For instance, the high energy costs needed to heat water systems in Alaska can exacerbate water insecurity. In another example, some communities with delivered water services can be limited by transportation challenges such as limited connectivity, roadway damage, and reduced visibility during winter weather. While we recognize that water-related challenges in Alaska are often linked to other CISs, it remains unclear how these interdependencies shape services—for instance, which connections are sources of vulnerability? Through a systematic literature review, we seek to understand the underlying network of interdependencies between water systems and other CISs in Alaska. We employ a qualitative content analysis of scholarly literature to identify relevant CISs and how they influence the provision of water services. By enhancing our knowledge about infrastructure interdependencies in Alaska, we can improve management by taking into account other relevant systems. Further, our work identifies key research gaps and opportunities, guiding future efforts to address the complex infrastructure challenges in Alaska.
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- PAR ID:
- 10528743
- Publisher / Repository:
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Date Published:
- ISBN:
- 9780784485477
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1039 to 1047
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Critical infrastructure services, Interdependencies, Water systems, Alaska
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Location:
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Conference Paper:
- https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784485477.092
