The WIHAH conference is bringing together Alaskan, U.S., and international engineers, health experts, researchers, community members, policymakers, and innovators to discuss health benefits, challenges and innovations associated with making running water and sewer in remote northern communities safe, affordable and sustainable. A conference proceedings publication and a summary report of the meeting will be produced. This conference will consist of expert speaker and poster presentation sessions, along with selected innovative technical demonstrations.
This circumpolar conference is identified as an official event in conjunction with the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, as an endorsed project of the Arctic Council Sustainable Development Working Group. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is partnering with a number of U.S. agencies to sponsor this informative conference. Federal sponsors include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Arctic Research Commission; U.S. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the U.S. Department of State; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Program.
Conference themes:
Human health benefits from household water and sanitation in Arctic rural communities
Climate change impacts on water and sanitation infrastructure in the Arctic
Innovative engineering approaches to increase access to water of adequate quality and quantity, including water reuse
Methods of ownership, operations and maintenance to maximize useful life of water and sewer systems in the Arctic
Regulations and policies affecting access to and the cost of providing adequate quantities of water in the home
Conference registration:
There is no registration fee. However, due to space and cost limitations and to ensure broad participation from different countries and areas of expertise, attendance is by invitation only. If you would like to attend the WIHAH conference and/or give a presentation, please provide information about how your expertise or experiences would add value to the conference by filling out the “Expression of Interest” web form due on the corresponding date indicated below.
Important dates:
Participants who want to present at the conference must submit the Expression of Interest web form by June 24, 2016. The form includes a field for abstract submission (300 words max). Types of presentation include 20 to 40 minute talks, posters, and exhibition or demonstration of an innovation.
Participants who want to attend the conference without giving a presentation must submit the Expression of Interest web form by July 1, 2016.