Health Violations Found AK 24 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Kotzebue Mun. Water System

EPA ID: AK2340060 · 3,234 people served · 1 ZIP code

Federal data shows 16 unresolved violations at Kotzebue Mun. Water System — roughly 3,234 residents in the service area.

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

C · 59
Avg Safety Score
3,234
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
25
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0075 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
4
Contaminants Flagged
$265K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 8 (2024) to 7 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Kotzebue Mun. Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$106,328
Median Household Income
3,129
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
80th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
57%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Kotzebue Mun. Water System serves a community with a median household income of $106,328 and an estimated 3,129 residents across its service area. Approximately 57% 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?

Surface Water

Kotzebue Mun. Water System'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
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 24% of homes in Northwest Arctic 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
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 59% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Kotzebue Mun. Water System compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 13 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 7 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 13 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 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

E. coli at 4 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.

Fecal Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

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

Similar-sized systems in Alaska

Petersburg
3,218 people
C 3 violations
Seward
3,324 people
C 51 violations
Uscg Station Kodiak
3,092 people
0 violations
Girdwood Water System
2,942 people
C 2 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $13,225

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$14,115
10 years
$28,230
20 years
$56,460

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $28,230 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

Kotzebue Mun. Water System (EPA ID: AK2340060) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 3,234 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 99752 in Kotzebue.

Average Home Safety Score: C (59/100)

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

Violation History

24 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 16 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
March 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
August 1, 2023 E. coli Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2023 E. coli Health-based Resolved
May 1, 2023 E. coli Health-based Resolved
April 1, 2023 E. coli Health-based Resolved
April 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 13 Yes
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 7 Yes
E. coli Microbiological 4 Yes
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 1 Yes

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 →

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)

Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

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

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
99752 0.0075 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 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 Kotzebue Mun. Water System (AK2340060) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kotzebue Mun. Water System water safe to drink?

Kotzebue Mun. Water System has recorded 24 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 Kotzebue Mun. Water System serve?

Kotzebue Mun. Water System serves approximately 3,234 people across 1 ZIP code in Alaska.

Where does Kotzebue Mun. Water System 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: KOTZEBUE MUN. 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
777
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 2025-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 3,234
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 Kotzebue Mun. Water System safe to drink?
Kotzebue Mun. Water System has a C safety grade based on 25 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Kotzebue Mun. Water System's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), E. coli, Fecal Coliform. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 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 Kotzebue Mun. Water System serve?
Kotzebue Mun. Water System serves approximately 3,234 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Kotzebue Mun. Water System's water source?
Kotzebue Mun. Water System draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Kotzebue Mun. Water System's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0075 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Kotzebue Mun. Water System's service area?
The Kotzebue Mun. Water System service area has a median household income of $106,328. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Kotzebue Mun. Water System get its water?
Kotzebue Mun. Water System'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

Kotzebue Mun. Water System (EPA ID: AK2340060) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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