Water Quality: Bethel, AK
8 water systems • 6,246 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Bethel is served by 8 public water systems with a combined service population of 6,246 people, and has 1,340 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 66 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Bethel's violation count is 186% above the national average for Alaska. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Gross Alpha, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Bethel
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BETHEL HEIGHTS WATER SYSTEM | AK2270346 | Groundwater | 2,228 | 112 |
| BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER | AK2271999 | Groundwater | 1,660 | 95 |
| TOKSOOK BAY WATER SYSTEM | AK2270215 | Groundwater | 661 | 51 |
| BETHEL TRAILER COURT | AK2271148 | Groundwater | 446 | 205 |
| LKSD TUNUNAK PAUL ALBERT HS | AK2270613 | Surface Water | 385 | 439 |
| RUSSIAN MISSION WATER SYSTEM | AK2270168 | Groundwater | 340 | 189 |
| LOWER KALSKAG WATER SYSTEM | AK2270697 | Groundwater | 302 | 225 |
| WILLOW TREE APARTMENTS | AK2270469 | Groundwater | 224 | 24 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Alaska
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.