Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu
EPA ID: AK2320078 · 4,900 people served · 2 ZIP codes
Based on the latest federal compliance data, Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu has 1 violation that the EPA has not yet closed — those outstanding findings are part of the enforcement record for a utility that delivers water to approximately 4,900 people throughout its service territory.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu serves a community with a median household income of $89,457 and an estimated 4,994 residents across its service area. Approximately 44% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 67% 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?
Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu'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.
About 15% of homes in North Slope 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
Detected Contaminants
How Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
E. coli at 3 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 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 6 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) 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
Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu (EPA ID: AK2320078) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 4,900 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: B (74/100)
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 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | E. coli | Health-based | Resolved |
| September 1, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| March 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 3 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 1 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 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 →
Lead & Copper
No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.
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
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu (AK2320078) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu water safe to drink?
Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu 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 Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu serve?
Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu serves approximately 4,900 people across 2 ZIP codes in Alaska.
Where does Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu 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: BARROW UTILITIES & ELEC. COOP., INC. (BU) Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Above Current MCL
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). One or more PFAS compounds were measured above the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
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
Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu (EPA ID: AK2320078) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.