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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 99928 Water Quality & Testing Report

Ward Cove, AK · Ketchikan Gateway Borough County · Updated for 2026

Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 99928 (Ward Cove, AK)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 99928 (Ward Cove, AK) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (56/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by Ketchikan Water, Truck 1, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

12

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 99928

Tap water in ZIP code 99928 (Ward Cove, AK) is distributed by Ketchikan Water, Truck 1 (EPA ID: AK2121527), serving approximately 100 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 56/100.

Water System

Ketchikan Water, Truck 1

EPA ID: AK2121527

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

100 residents

County

Ketchikan Gateway Borough County, Alaska

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Lead Levels in ZIP 99928

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 99928. Contact Ketchikan Water, Truck 1 to request lead testing results.
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard6.8 GPG · 116 mg/L

Water in ZIP 99928 is Moderately Hard (116 mg/L / 6.8 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

6.8 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

116 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Ketchikan Water, Truck 1 · PWSID: AK2121527

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Ketchikan Water, Truck 1 has recorded 12 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions). 7 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
12
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
7
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated High based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 99928 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 9 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 99928

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 99928 served by Ketchikan Water, Truck 1 can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in AK for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 99928 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 99928 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 99928?+
Tap water in 99928 (Ward Cove, AK) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 99928 (Ward Cove, AK)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 99928, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in AK. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 99928?+
Tap water in 99928 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 116 mg/L (6.8 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 99928?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 99928 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 99928 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 99928. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 99928?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 99928. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 99928?+
Tap water in ZIP code 99928 is provided by Ketchikan Water, Truck 1 (EPA ID: AK2121527), serving approximately 100 residents.
What water filter should I use in 99928?+
Based on water metrics for 99928, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 99928 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Ketchikan Water, Truck 1. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →