… Today’s WatchBlog post looks at our new report on this issue, as well as federal efforts and challenges to improving tribal access. Safe water is crucial to public health. Yet, some American Indians and Alaska Natives live in communities without running water or flushable toilets.   Without access to such basic facilities, these communities have come up with a number of alternatives. Some residents haul drinking water from a community water station. Others use a “honey bucket” as a makeshift toilet. And some residents rely on shared community facilities to shower or wash laundry. For some tribal communities that do have access to piped water, it does not always meet safe drinking water standards. How is this even possible in 2026? The reality is that for many Tribes resources are scarce. Many face a multitude of challenges to building, operating, and maintaining water infrastructure. 

Related:

• U.S. Government Accountability Office: Report: Tribal water infrastructure: Opportunities exist to improve federal assistance