Health Violations Found AK 14 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Deering Utility System

EPA ID: AK2340222 · 160 people served · 1 ZIP code

Deering Utility System carries 21 open EPA violations that remain unresolved in the federal system — approximately 160 people fall within its service area.

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

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
160
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
69
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0029 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
9
Contaminants Flagged
$106K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 5 (2022) to 4 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Deering Utility System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$55,625
Median Household Income
205
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
80th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
59%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Deering Utility System serves a community with a median household income of $55,625 and an estimated 205 residents across its service area. Approximately 59% 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

Deering Utility 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

38 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
32 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 54% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Deering Utility System compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 16 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
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) 5 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 16 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

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

Fecal Coliform at 17 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

E. coli at 14 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.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 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

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150 people
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Willowbrook North
150 people
0 violations
Nikiski Village Tc
150 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Water Filtration
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $600

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 $5,315

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$10,160
10 years
$20,320
20 years
$40,640

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $600 (one-time) vs. $20,320 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

Deering Utility System (EPA ID: AK2340222) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 160 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 99736 in Deering.

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

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

Violation History

14 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 21 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
June 21, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Resolved
April 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
March 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Unresolved
March 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
February 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Unresolved
February 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule 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 17 Yes
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 16 Yes
E. coli Microbiological 14 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 6 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 5 Yes
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 5 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No

Health Risk Details

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 →

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
99736 0.0029 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 Deering Utility System (AK2340222) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Deering Utility System water safe to drink?

Deering Utility System has recorded 14 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 Deering Utility System serve?

Deering Utility System serves approximately 160 people across 1 ZIP code in Alaska.

Where does Deering Utility 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: DEERING UTILITY 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
5
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 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 160
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 Deering Utility System safe to drink?
Deering Utility System has a C safety grade based on 69 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Deering Utility System's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), 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 Deering Utility System serve?
Deering Utility System serves approximately 160 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Deering Utility System's water source?
Deering Utility System draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Deering Utility System's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0029 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Deering Utility System's service area?
The Deering Utility System service area has a median household income of $55,625. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Deering Utility System get its water?
Deering Utility 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

Deering Utility System (EPA ID: AK2340222) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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