Shishmaref, AK: 7 Health Violations — 88/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Shishmaref hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in AK with few health-based violations on file.
How Shishmaref Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Shishmaref Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 43 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.89 — above typical levels.
Shishmaref's Water Providers
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Shishmaref, AK — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Shishmaref, Alaska, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 462 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Shishmaref: A (88/100)
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
Shishmaref water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0003 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 | 24 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 18 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99772 | A | 43 | 7 | Shishmaref Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Shishmaref
- 99772 [A] — 43 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.
Shishmaref Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Shishmaref's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Shishmaref Infrastructure Age
With 52% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1984 places Shishmaref's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Shishmaref 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Shishmaref
Within the Shishmaref market, documented remediation claims a significant slice of typical equity — the financial weight here is material.
At 2.7% of home value, remediation costs in Shishmaref represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,100–$5,500. Home values here are 41% below the Alaska average.
Shishmaref: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Locally, 52% of Shishmaref homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Shishmaref: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood history in Shishmaref spans 2 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Shishmaref has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $66,745 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$3,100</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Shishmaref, AK