Storms postpone start of Kivalina school year

The school year has yet to begin in the northwest Alaska village of Kivalina because August storms left the school and teacher housing without clean water.

School should have started two weeks ago, but storms fed a river that serves as the water source for the school and washeteria, bringing the water to its highest levels on record.

Torrents sank pipes that feed the local water plant and the river sediment thickened.

Schools superintendent Norman Eck canceled classes and hopes to see the school open by Oct. 1.

Meanwhile, emergency crews plan to begin repair work this week using replacement pipes provided by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

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