Patryce D. McKinney

The discussion centered on the evolution of the Operator Certification Program and the irrelevance of several past Board policies, some of which interpret regulations that no longer exist or recommend obsolete procedures. The Board reviewed policies 2009-04 and 2015-01 during the meeting held on June 2, 2021, and subsequently voted to rescind them. Policy 2009-04 (Nonconventional Wastewater and Water Treatment Experience) was superseded by Policy 2021-01, and Policy 2015-01 (Certification of Water Haul and Sewer Pump Truck Drivers) was superseded by Policy 2021-02.

The Alaska Capacity Development Strategy focuses on improving the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities of public drinking water systems. Key areas of focus include assessing capacity through various methods like plan reviews, best practices scoring, and sanitary surveys. The strategy also emphasizes program initiatives such as developing training materials, providing compliance assistance, and coordinating with technical assistance providers. The plan aims to promote asset management and ensure sustainable infrastructure planning while addressing challenges like aging infrastructure and limited resources.