Health Violations Found AK 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

City of Thorne Bay,

EPA ID: AK2120216 · 470 people served · 2 ZIP codes

City of Thorne Bay, shows 4 open EPA violations in current federal records for approximately 470 people.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

D · 52
Avg Safety Score
470
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
28
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0163 mg/L
Max Lead Level — Exceeds Limit
9
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Thorne Bay, Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$65,357
Median Household Income
548
Service Area Population
88%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
46%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Thorne Bay, serves a community with a median household income of $65,357 and an estimated 548 residents across its service area. Approximately 46% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 88% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Thorne Bay,'s water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

30 yr
Avg Pipe Age
PEX or Copper
Pipe Material
38 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 44% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Thorne Bay, compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 3 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Fecal Coliform at 7 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

E. coli at 7 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Alaska

Nikishka Bay
470 people
B 4 violations
Sand Lake Services
465 people
0 violations
0 violations
0 violations
Egegik
485 people
B 4 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Lead Pipe Replacement Water Filtration
Lead Pipe Replacement $3,120
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $3,420

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Lead Exposure — Child Lifetime Cost $10,000

Per affected child (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$10,280
10 years
$20,560
20 years
$41,120

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,420 (one-time) vs. $20,560 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

THORNE BAY, CITY OF (EPA ID: AK2120216) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 470 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (52/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 4 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
April 1, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
March 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
March 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved
December 1, 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Unresolved
December 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
December 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
December 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
August 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
August 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Lead Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 7 No
E. coli Microbiological 7 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 6 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 3 Yes
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Total Organic Carbon Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 No

Health Risk Details

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)

Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
99919 0.0163 mg/L Yes N/A
Lead exceeds EPA action level in at least one sampling location. Consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 filter rated for lead removal.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Thorne Bay, (AK2120216) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Thorne Bay, water safe to drink?

City of Thorne Bay, has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does City of Thorne Bay, serve?

City of Thorne Bay, serves approximately 470 people across 2 ZIP codes in Alaska.

Where does City of Thorne Bay, get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Source: THORNE BAY, CITY OF Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
175
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2024-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 470
Reported to Alaska

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Thorne Bay, safe to drink?
City of Thorne Bay, has a D safety grade based on 28 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Thorne Bay,'s water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Fecal Coliform. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does City of Thorne Bay, serve?
City of Thorne Bay, serves approximately 470 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is City of Thorne Bay,'s water source?
City of Thorne Bay, draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Thorne Bay,'s water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0163 mg/L. This exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. A lead-certified filter is recommended, especially for homes with young children.
What is the demographic profile of City of Thorne Bay,'s service area?
The City of Thorne Bay, service area has a median household income of $65,357. EPA EJScreen data classifies 88% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does City of Thorne Bay, get its water?
City of Thorne Bay,'s water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

City of Thorne Bay, (EPA ID: AK2120216) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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