Where: Village of Lower Kalskag, Bethel Census Area, Alaska

Issue: Lower Kalskag’s water system was out of compliance with federal standards

Outcome: With RCAC’s assistance, the community’s water system is now back in compliance.

Lower Kalskag lies 26 miles west of Aniak, 89 miles northeast of Bethel, and 350 miles west of Anchorage, and is only accessible by small plane or by boat via the river, which turns to ice in the winter. The Village of Lower Kalskag is home to a federally recognized tribe. According to the U.S. Census, the community’s population is 282, and about 92 percent of the population are Alaska Native, or part Native. The median household income (MHI) is $25,625, and the per capita income for the city is $7,654. About 37 percent of families and 41 percent of the population live below the poverty line.

In 2016 the Village of Lower Kalskag’s water system was found to be out of compliance with Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Revised Total Coliform Rule.

In March 2018, RCAC prepared and submitted a Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) site sampling plan for the community’s drinking water system to the state of Alaska. The plan was reviewed and approved the same month. The system is now back in compliance with federal regulations.

RCAC completed this task by working directly with the Village of Lower Kalskag’s water operator. Furthermore, RCAC staff provided technical assistance and education on the importance of maintaining and executing sampling plans to protect public health. Now the Village is in compliance with water regulations, and it is providing safe drinking water to its residents.