TER34-Access to safe drinking water in the Arctic

Access to safe drinking water is a challenge for many Arctic communities. Most Arctic communities rely on decentralized truck-and-cistern water systems or potable water dispensing units where people collect water using secondary storage containers. As a result, drinking water quantity and quality are often limited, which impacts the way that residents consume and use water, with implications for exposure to waterborne disease and sanitation. The Arctic region is greatly affected by climate change phenomena such as changing precipitation regimes and the thawing of permafrost, both of which can affect source water quality and quantity and damage drinking water infrastructure. Arctic communities are also characterized by a rapidly increasing population, which increases the pressure on water infrastructure. This session aims to present research projects in the Arctic focused on developing water engineering strategies to improve access to safe water in Northern communities.

Co-Chairs:

Stéphanie Guilherme, University of Ottawa
Stéphanie Gora, York University
Judith Marechal, Ilinniarfeqarfik Sisimiut - Arctic Danish Technical University