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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER • Updated October 2026
Grade C — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER has a mixed record — read the reasons below; the deductions come from real EPA violations, lead results or PFAS detections, not from a template.
Bethel, AK tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of 2 health-based EPA violations in the last five years. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
Bethel, AK tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of 2 health-based EPA violations in the last five years. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31) was 0 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER has no UCMR5 PFAS results in EPA's dataset; systems serving under 3,300 people were only sampled if selected. Ask your utility whether it has tested for PFAS.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER has 30 violations on file since 2016: 2 health-based in the last five years and 7 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER reports groundwater as its primary source and serves about 1,660 people (EPA PWSID AK2271999).
We recommend one. Check which contaminant the violations involved (table above) and choose a filter certified for it.
Compare filter options for your Bethel tap water
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER has 2 health-based EPA violations in the last five years.
See the filters matched to Bethel's EPA results → — which certification actually removes what was found here, and what it does not touch.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
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BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records 2 health-based violations for this system in the last five years, all of which are marked resolved or archived. Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) or a required treatment step was not met.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2022-01-01 → 2022-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-03-31 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2021-10-01 → 2021-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2021-12-31 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2021-07-01 → 2021-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2021-09-30 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2021-04-01 → 2021-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2021-06-30 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2021-01-01 → 2021-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2021-03-31 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2020-10-01 → 2020-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2020-12-31 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2020-07-01 → 2020-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-09-30 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2020-04-01 → 2020-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-06-30 |
| Failure To Address DeficiencyGroundwater Rule | Treatment technique | 2020-01-10 | Resolvedreturned 2021-06-07 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2020-01-01 → 2020-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2020-03-31 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2019-10-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Lead Consumer NoticeLead and Copper Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2024-04-02 | Resolvedreturned 2024-09-25 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-10-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-10-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Failure to Consult with StateGroundwater Rule | Other | 2022-11-15 | Resolvedreturned 2022-11-15 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-04-01 → 2022-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2022-06-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-04-01 → 2022-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2022-06-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-03-31 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-03-31 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Chlorine | Monitoring & reporting | 2021-07-01 → 2021-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2021-09-30 |
| Monitoring, Routine (RTCR)Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | 2021-07-01 → 2021-07-31 | Resolvedreturned 2021-07-31 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2021-07-01 → 2021-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2021-09-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2021-07-01 → 2021-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2021-09-30 |
| Failure Submit IDSE/Subpart V Plan RptTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2021-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2021-09-09 |
| Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/RLead and Copper Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-07-01 | Resolvedreturned 2020-07-26 |
Showing 25 of 30 violations on file. Full record on EPA ECHO.
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER
Well below the 15 ppb action level. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31), 90% of the homes BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER sampled had lead at or below 0 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2022-07-01 → 2022-12-31 | 2.95 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2021-01-01 → 2021-06-30 | 3.92 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2020-07-01 → 2020-12-31 | 4.26 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2019-07-01 → 2019-12-31 | 5.8 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2018-01-01 → 2018-12-31 | 33.2 ppb | Above the 15 ppb action level |
| 2017-01-01 → 2017-06-30 | 6.02 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2016-07-01 → 2016-12-31 | 5.65 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2005-01-01 → 2005-06-30 | 12.2 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2004-07-01 → 2004-12-31 | 90.6 ppb | Above the 15 ppb action level |
Copper 90th percentile: 1.92 mg/L (2018-01-01 → 2018-12-31); action level 1.3 mg/L.
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER has no results in EPA's UCMR5 PFAS dataset (2023–2026). Systems serving fewer than 3,300 people were sampled only if selected, so this is a data gap, not a clean result. About PFAS →
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Haloacetic acids (HAA5) is flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 30 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 10 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0.26 mg/L | 0.26 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 10 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Radium-226/228 | 20 detects | 0 pCi/L | ND | 5 pCi/LMCL | Not detected |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 9 | 19.836 µg/L | 55.7 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 8 | 28.825 µg/L | 72 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 1 single sample over MCL; average within limit |
| Lead (tap samples) | 6159 detects | 5.204 µg/L | 38.8 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 61 | 515.709 µg/L | 2420 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Bethel will follow up - no obligation.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER · 203 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER reports no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines and has classified 100% of its 203 lines as non-lead. Lead can still come from pre-1986 plumbing and fixtures inside a home.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID AK2271999 · See all Alaska lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Groundwater systems draw from wells; naturally occurring arsenic, nitrate, radium and uranium are the readings to watch, along with PFAS near industrial or military sites.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Bethel homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Bethel faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Bethel households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Bethel residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 99559). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Bethel yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Bethel ranks #10 of 10 graded Alaska cities.
Bethel, AK tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of 2 health-based EPA violations in the last five years. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31) was 0 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER has no UCMR5 PFAS results in EPA's dataset; systems serving under 3,300 people were only sampled if selected. Ask your utility whether it has tested for PFAS.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER has 30 violations on file since 2016: 2 health-based in the last five years and 7 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER reports groundwater as its primary source and serves about 1,660 people (EPA PWSID AK2271999).
We recommend one. Check which contaminant the violations involved (table above) and choose a filter certified for it.
BETHEL-CITY S/D WATER has 2 health-based EPA violations in the last five years.
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Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for Bethel, AK.
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