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Chiniak School water classification issue could trigger costly upgrades; borough, district to continue talks
Summary
Manager Amy reported that if regular attendance at the Chiniak School reaches 25 or more people the system must be reclassified as a public water system requiring a water plant and certified operators; a 2023 engineering estimate put interim costs between $500,000 and $1.5 million and borough and school officials will meet again in two weeks.
Manager Amy (borough manager) reported Thursday that the Chiniak School water system faces a regulatory threshold: once the system regularly serves 25 or more people it must be reclassified as a public water system. Reclassification would require a water plant and at least one state-certified (Class I) plant operator.
Amy said the school district has denied waivers for some students who live outside Chiniak to keep the count below 25. She said an engineering study completed in 2023 estimated interim options (before building a full water plant) at between $500,000 and $1.5 million; those costs would be disposable interim measures on the path to a full plant. Amy said the borough can draw on local experience: Alaska Aerospace built a water plant and its plant operator (Keith Moran, retired borough employee) is available as a reference on lessons learned.
Amy said the borough and school district plan to meet again in two weeks to continue the conversation about whether and how to proceed. She said the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will not engage on technical approvals until the threshold is crossed and the borough/school present an actual plan.
Assembly members asked about short-term options such as trucking water or temporary systems; staff said those are possible but would be costly and could be temporary stopgaps while planning and funding are pursued. No appropriation or commitment was made at the work session; staff will continue working with the district and pursue engineering and funding options as available.
