Old Harbor, AK: 17 Health Violations — 43/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
For households across Old Harbor, below-average water safety data and recurring compliance violations documented by AK EPA records make it worthwhile to verify the specific system serving your address — system-level detail is the most actionable reference point available.
How Old Harbor Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Old Harbor Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 70 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.012 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.26.
Who Supplies Your Water in Old Harbor
The structure of water supply in Old Harbor, AK is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Old Harbor, Alaska, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 186 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 17 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Old Harbor: D (43/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Old Harbor water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0120 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 68 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 30 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 16 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99643 | D | 70 | 17 | Old Harbor |
All ZIP Codes in Old Harbor
- 99643 [D] — 70 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Old Harbor
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Old Harbor Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Old Harbor
With 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Old Harbor's median build year of 1972 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Old Harbor were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Old Harbor Homeowners
Because property values in Old Harbor comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Old Harbor are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 52% below the Alaska average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Old Harbor
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 73% pre-rule share in Old Harbor keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Old Harbor
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for E. coli can reduce the most common contaminant found in Old Harbor's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Old Harbor, AK