The purpose of the remote maintenance worker (RMW) program grant will assist rural alaska communities in building and maintaining technical capacity needed to successfully run a water or sanitation…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $2,953,511 Cooperative Agreement under the Congressionally Mandated Projects program (CFDA 66.202) to the Environmental Conservation Alaska Department to support the Remote Maintenance Worker (RMW) Program. This program provides training and technical assistance to rural Alaskan communities to build and maintain the technical capacity needed to operate water and wastewater treatment facilities, protecting human health and the environment. Key activities include on-site operator training, emergency response support, and working with local governing bodies to improve the operation and financial management of these critical utility systems. The grant will fund RMW positions serving 128 villages across five regional service areas in Alaska. Sub-awards were made to several Alaska Native healthcare organizations, including Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Norton Sound Health Corporation, and Maniilaq Association, to implement the RMW program locally and provide water/wastewater operations support in their service areas.

The purpose of the remote maintenance worker (RMW) program grant will assist rural alaska communities in building and maintaining technical capacity needed to successfully run a water or sanitation utility in order to protect human health and the environment and promote compliance with the safe drinking water act and the clean water act.activities:the remote maintenance worker program provides training and technical assistance to rural operators and communities includes on site over the shoulder job training in proper operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities and water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Working with the local governing body to provide information and the actual operation and maintenance requirements and cost of the utility including operation, maintenance, sampling, monitoring, and testing reports to the governing body concerning status of the utility. Assisting local operator during emergency situations which may include freeze-UPS, floods, leaks, sewage discharges or any other situations that if not attended to immediately could result in extended service disruption or threat to human health the efforts will protect the environment from the discharge of untreated wastewater to ambient waters (rivers, lakes, stream and oceans).subrecipient:five remote maintenance worker service areas have been established coinciding with existing regional health organizations boundaries. Grants will be made available to fund RMW positions providing service is 128 villages located within these five regional service areas.outcomes:the remote maintenance worker program supports the technical operation of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in rural alaskan communities, the intended beneficiaries. The remote maintenance worker program works with communities to increase their technical capacity of the water and sanitation utilities. The objectives are in accordance with the clean water act and the safe drinking water action section 1420(c)(2) which addresses the requirements for states to develop strategies to improve the technical and managerial and financial capacity of public water systems under their jurisdiction. Assisting local operator in normal operation and during emergency situations which may include freeze-UPS, floods, leaks, sewage discharges or any other situations that if not attended to immediately could result in extended service disruption or threat to human health the efforts will protect the environment from the discharge of untreated wastewater to ambient waters (rivers, lakes, stream and oceans), in addition, these outcomes further the delivery of safe drinking water to the public by ensuring these systems are managed and operated correctly.