Bethel Heights Water System
EPA ID: AK2270346 · 2,228 people served · 1 ZIP code
Federal compliance records for Bethel Heights Water System list 11 open violations that have not yet been resolved — the utility serves approximately 2,228 people, and each outstanding finding remains logged and active in the EPA enforcement database.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 3 (2021) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Bethel Heights Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Bethel Heights Water System serves a community with a median household income of $103,676 and an estimated 7,272 residents across its service area. Approximately 43% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 100% 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?
Bethel Heights Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 32% of homes in Bethel Census Area, Alaska rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Bethel Heights Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 6 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 15 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 37 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
E. coli at 27 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.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 16 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
Bethel Heights Water System (EPA ID: AK2270346) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 2,228 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 99559 in Bethel.
Average Home Safety Score: B (81/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| March 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 31, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | E. coli | Health-based | Resolved |
| December 4, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2024 | E. coli | Health-based | Resolved |
| November 2, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 1, 2024 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2024 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 37 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 27 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 16 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 15 | Yes |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 9 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 7 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 5 | Yes |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
E. coli (EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action))
Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children At-risk groups: children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women.
Removal methods: UV disinfection (99.99%), chlorination, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99559 | 0.00396 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 99559 — Bethel
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Bethel Heights Water System (AK2270346) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bethel Heights Water System water safe to drink?
Bethel Heights Water System has recorded 9 health-based violations 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 Bethel Heights Water System serve?
Bethel Heights Water System serves approximately 2,228 people across 1 ZIP code in Alaska.
Where does Bethel Heights Water System get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Water Source & Treatment
Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.
Source: Bethel Heights Water System 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:
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Bethel Heights Water System (EPA ID: AK2270346) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.