In Mertarvik, a village facing infrastructure challenges due to its relocation, the temporary school building experiences severe issues with its wastewater system. Students, like second-grader Colton John, often leave school to use their homes’ honey buckets due to limited access to functional toilets at the school. The village’s wastewater treatment system, servicing critical facilities like the school and clinic, is overwhelmed, leading to raw sewage backups. Despite efforts to address the problem, including awaiting replacement parts, the health risks and unpleasant odors persist, impacting daily life and educational activities in the community.
