Health Violations Found AK 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Shungnak Water System

EPA ID: AK2340361 · 299 people served · 1 ZIP code

The EPA enforcement database lists 9 active violations for Shungnak Water System — a provider that delivers drinking water to approximately 299 people and has not yet formally resolved those findings.

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

A · 95
Avg Safety Score
299
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
47
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0025 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
6
Contaminants Flagged
$85K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 2 (2022) to 1 (2023). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade A

Service Area Demographics

$76,667
Median Household Income
211
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
80th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
49%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Shungnak Water System serves a community with a median household income of $76,667 and an estimated 211 residents across its service area. Approximately 49% 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

Shungnak 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

43 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
27 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 61% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Shungnak Water System compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

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.

Fecal Coliform at 19 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

E. coli at 13 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.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Organic Carbon at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

0 violations
B 89 violations
0 violations
A 41 violations
A 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 Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,500
10 years
$15,000
20 years
$30,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $600 (one-time) vs. $15,000 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

Shungnak Water System (EPA ID: AK2340361) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 299 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 99773 in Shungnak.

Average Home Safety Score: A (95/100)

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

Violation History

3 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 9 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
June 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Unresolved
June 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
November 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
August 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
June 2, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2024 E. coli 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 29, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
December 1, 2023 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
November 30, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
November 1, 2023 Fecal Coliform 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 19 No
E. coli Microbiological 13 Yes
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 9 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Total Organic Carbon Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 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

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
99773 0.0025 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 Shungnak Water System (AK2340361) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shungnak Water System water safe to drink?

Shungnak Water System has recorded 3 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 Shungnak Water System serve?

Shungnak Water System serves approximately 299 people across 1 ZIP code in Alaska.

Where does Shungnak 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: SHUNGNAK 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
68
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: 299
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 Shungnak Water System safe to drink?
Shungnak Water System earns a A safety grade with 47 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Shungnak Water System's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Fecal Coliform, E. coli, Stage 1 DBP Rule. 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 Shungnak Water System serve?
Shungnak Water System serves approximately 299 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Shungnak Water System's water source?
Shungnak Water System draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Shungnak Water System's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0025 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Shungnak Water System's service area?
The Shungnak Water System service area has a median household income of $76,667. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Shungnak Water System get its water?
Shungnak 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

Shungnak Water System (EPA ID: AK2340361) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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