<p> This research indicates that present methods of water supply and sewerage for high arctic communities are inadequate from the point of view of health, aesthetics and economics. This thesis examines these present methods and their problems.</p> <p> Field work was conducted in three communities of the Eastern Canadian Arctic. Data were collected with regard to, - the biological quality of the drinking water and raw water sources, the quantities of river water available, the soil conditions, the construction equipment and generating capacities of the small communities, water consumption, and the sizes and types of storage tanks within the communities.</p> <p> In order to improve existing conditions, an entirely new method of water supply is developed in which water is intermittently distributed through electrically traced pipes to storage tanks within all the buildings. Computer programs are presented which will optimize the design on the basis of net annual cost. The related problems of water quality, power supply and sewerage are also examined and social, health and aesthetic effects are considered.</p> <p> The results are novel in many respects: Distributed storage allows the use of very small diameter pipes and results in very low capital, construction and operating costs.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

There has been a general population decline in the European Arctic and northern periphery, with out-migration being one of the main drivers. The population is ageing and less able to contribute to the economic welfare. The EU has implemented a series of projects in the region in an attempt to remedy the out-migration and make the regions attractive for further investments and development. The study investigates how actors within a number of EU-funded projects perceived local social sustainability, in their communities and within their projects. It aims to gain a better understanding of what social sustainability means in northern contexts, and how EU-funded projects could improve social sustainability. Using coding inspired by the Arctic Social Indicators, the study mapped perceptions and reflections through conducting a series of interviews with actors attached to EU projects. The results show that a majority of projects potentially have had a higher impact on social sustainability than the actors reflected upon, such as the impact on cultural wellbeing that comes from improving local slow tourism, focussing on local traditions and heritage. The study also finds that transnational cooperation is perceived to be beneficial for socially sustainable outcomes with benefits including knowledge transfer and business cooperation. Transnational cooperation, however, comes with challenges such as communication issues due to language barriers, and policy difficulties when working across borders. Overall the study concludes that the EU projects are perceived to have positive outcomes on the social sustainability in northern communities. Not only did the actors perceive these EU-funded projects to be important for monetary development, but also in creating invaluable bonds between partners.