This $400,000 National Science Foundation project grant will fund research towards developing climate-resilient water infrastructure in Alaska Native communities through 2027. The award is part of the Geosciences program, which supports basic research in integrated Earth system sciences through the expansion of fundamental knowledge.
Working with Michigan State University researchers, community leaders and utility staff from the Norton Sound region of western Alaska will co-produce knowledge to inform the engineering design process and cultural significance of water systems. Novel wireless sensor networks will monitor water supplies and paired data-driven techniques will detect leaks to mitigate disruptions. Laboratory and field experiments on Arctic soils will characterize long-term pipeline performance and predict future soil-induced damage. Outreach will train community members and raise awareness of water issues facing Alaska Natives. The research aims to address social, technological and environmental challenges to developing sustainable water systems as the Arctic climate changes.