Rural Utility Business Advisor (RUBA) Program

The goal of the RUBA program is to increase the managerial and financial capacity of rural water and wastewater utility providers. The program is advisory only; travel and assistance is at the request of local utility staff. The federal government amended the Safe Water Drinking Act in 1996 to require states to ensure that new systems are viable and that there is sufficient local technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate the water or wastewater system. The RUBA program began in 1994 and continues to provide the technical, managerial, and financial training and assistance as mandated.

The program offers capacity building assistance to rural utilities throughout all regions of the state. One-on-one or small group training in the community is provided by RUBA staff for the local utility staff. Utility staff may also attend the 32-hour utility management classes offered at various hub communities.

The RUBA approach to assisting communities

• Present eight management courses. Click here to see more course information.
• Identify communities with sanitation management issues;
• Visit community for fact-finding;
• Create an assessment identifying strengths and weaknesses;
• Develop a proposed work plan;
• Present the assessment and work plan to the community;
• Finalize the work plan with the community's council and agree on responsibilities;
• Provide technical assistance on-site;
• Assess progress and adjust work plan if necessary;

RUBA Publications

• A Plain English Guide to Sanitation Utility Accounting
• A Plain English Guide to Alaska Drinking & Wastewater Regulations
• An Agency Guide to Community Tax Issues
• QuickBooks for Sanitation Utilities
• The Water Rate Calculator Guide Book
• The Water Rate Calculator
• Utility Business Plan Template and Sample
• Utility Collections Handbook
• Construction Funding Conditions

Thanks for visiting this page and learning about the RUBA program. Additional information is located on the upper right hand side under 'RUBA Quick Links'. The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Upon request, this report will be made available in large print or other accessible formats.

For more information about the RUBA program, contact

Melody Nibeck
Division of Community and Regional Affairs
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1650
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 269-5939
FAX: (907) 269-4563
e-mail: Melody.Nibeck@alaska.gov

Revised 08/15/2022