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Rural Utility Business Advisor (RUBA) Program

RUBA LOGO

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 Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1996 to require states to ensure that new systems are viable and there is sufficient local technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate the water or wastewater system. The capacity criteria, referred to as Operations and Maintenance Best Practices, has been used for determining eligibility and prioritization for community sanitation projects since mid-2015. The RUBA program began in 1994 and offers capacity building assistance to rural utilities throughout the state. The ultimate goal is to ensure sustainable and safe water and wastewater utilities for all Alaskans.

Best Practices Dashboard

Best Practices Dashboard

If you are a interested in the most recent Operations and Maintenance Best Practices score or a timeline of historical scores for a statewide, regional, or community viewpoint.

Best Practices Toolkit

Best Practices Toolkit

If you are interested in a collection of information and resources about Operations and Maintenance Best Practices capacity criteria requirements, templates, and sample documents for optimum scoring.

RUBA Assistance:

  • Travel to communities for advice and assistance.
  • Train utility staff, managers, and governing board members.
    Here is a link to our training schedule.
  • Offer training scholarships for in person classes to help offset travel expenses.
  • Sponsor a QuickBooks Help Line for accounting issues.
  • Collect, analyze, and score documentation from utilities for the managerial and financial capacity criteria in support of the state’s strategy for utility Operations and Maintenance Best Practices.
  • Follow-up assistance to help improve a utility’s score for project funding.
  • Create and disseminate utility related publications.
  • Promote regional partnerships.

Having Problems with QuickBooks?
Having Problems with Payroll Tax Liabilities?

The QuickBooks Help Line is open three days a week by calling (907) 440-0242.

Help Line Hours:
Monday: 10am to 3pm
Tuesday: 10am to 3pm
Thursday: 10am to 3pm


Do you need Local Government Assistance or Utility Management support?
Would you like your Local Government Specialist to contact you?
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RUBA Publications:

For more information about the RUBA program, contact

Theo Graber
Division of Community and Regional Affairs
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1650
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 269-8159
FAX: (907) 269-4563
e-mail: theo.graber@alaska.gov

Revised 02/20/2024