Water System Report AK

The Water Service

EPA ID: AK2320230 · 638 people served · 1 ZIP code

Five clean years on EPA record — The Water Service, 638 residents served.

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

638
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$282K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Demographics

$89,038
Median Household Income
4,855
Service Area Population
67%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
30th
Energy Burden Percentile
54%
Pre-1986 Housing

The The Water Service serves a community with a median household income of $89,038 and an estimated 4,855 residents across its service area. Approximately 54% 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?

Surface Water

The Water Service'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

41 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
29 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 59% of expected lifespan used End of life

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).

State limits: PFOA: 0.07 ppt, PFOS: 0.07 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Alaska

Kipnuk Water System
639 people
B 42 violations
C 119 violations
B 14 violations
A 1 violation
Kotlik Water System
617 people
C 61 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
PFAS Treatment $600
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $900

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $900 (one-time) vs. $330 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

The Water Service (EPA ID: AK2320230) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 638 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 99723 in Barrow.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

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 The Water Service (AK2320230) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Water Service water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, The Water Service has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does The Water Service serve?

The Water Service serves approximately 638 people across 1 ZIP code in Alaska.

Where does The Water Service get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a water filter?
The Water Service meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does The Water Service serve?
The Water Service serves approximately 638 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is The Water Service's water source?
The Water Service draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of The Water Service's service area?
The The Water Service service area has a median household income of $89,038. EPA EJScreen data classifies 67% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does The Water Service get its water?
The Water Service'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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