Editing Diomede, Alaska (section)

=== Water and disposal ===
Water for winter use is drawn from a mountain spring, then treated and stored in {{convert|434000|U.S.gal|m3|adj=on|sigfig=3}} storage tanks. Because the [[permafrost]] prevents pipelines from being installed underground, residents must manually carry water from the tank.<ref name="dcced" /><ref name="kawerak" /> Even with a tank this size, the water supply usually runs out by March, the laundromat is closed and residents must melt their drinking water from snow and ice.

Funds for improving the water system have been requested both by the city and the school. Having a separate tank for the school would decrease the usage of city water and would also serve as a backup water supply for the whole city. Funds have also been requested for improvements to refuse collection and for an [[incinerator]], because the ground conditions on the island limits waste disposal to burning combustibles and disposing of everything else on the ice. [[Bucket toilet|Honeybuckets]] and privies are used, except in the laundromat, clinic, and school, which are served by a septic system.<ref name="commerce.state.ak.us"/>