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Bethel Census Area, AK Water Quality

Water quality data for 23 public water systems serving Bethel Census Area, Alaska — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 23 water systems · 23 cities
⚠️
Caution Advised — Some Systems Need Attention

Some systems have elevated lead levels or active violations. Check your specific city below.

C

Bethel Census Area Earns a C

Bethel Census Area: 23 communities across 23 water systems. 87.0% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 4.95 ppb
  • 20 communities with a lead detection, 3 reporting none detected
  • 0 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 20 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 87.0% of communities have no open violations
4.95 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
23
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
87%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • Kwethluk
    2.00 ppb
    63 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Goodnews Bay
    2.10 ppb
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
  • Kipnuk
    Not detected
    2 significant inspection deficiencies
    B
  • Akiak
    7.80 ppb
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
  • Chefornak
    1.00 ppb
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    C
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Crooked Creek
    6.50 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    F
  • Atmautluak
    7.60 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    F
  • Aniak
    10.20 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    D
  • Bethel
    Not detected
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    D
  • Mekoryuk
    7.80 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    D
County Lead Level — Median 4.95 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 4.95 ppb — 33% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
10
5 – 10 ppb
9
10 – 15 ppb
1
No Data
3

All Cities in Bethel Census Area

Akiachak 6.20 ppb C
Akiak 7.80 ppb B
Aniak 10.20 ppb D
Atmautluak 7.60 ppb F
Bethel Not detected D
Chefornak 1.00 ppb C
Crooked Creek 6.50 ppb F
Eek 5.40 ppb C
Goodnews Bay 2.10 ppb B
Kipnuk Not detected B
Kongiganak 4.50 ppb C
Kwethluk 2.00 ppb B
Kwigillingok 1.46 ppb C
Mekoryuk 7.80 ppb D
Nunapitchuk 3.90 ppb D
Platinum 2.30 ppb C
Quinhagak 1.10 ppb C
Sleetmute 7.90 ppb C
Toksook Bay 5.60 ppb C
Tuluksak 7.72 ppb C
Tuntutuliak 1.80 ppb C
Tununak Not detected D
Upper Kalskag 2.70 ppb C
Showing 23 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Bethel Census Area Drinking Water

Bethel Census Area is served by 23 water systems covering 23 communities. 87% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 20 recorded a detection, with a median of 4.95 ppb — 33% of the federal action level. 3 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

No community here has PFAS above the federal limit on record. State inspectors recorded significant deficiencies at 20 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bethel Census Area tap water safe to drink?▼
87% of communities have no open violation. No community has PFAS above the federal limit on record.
What is the lead level in Bethel Census Area?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 4.95 ppb, 33% of the 15 ppb action level. 3 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Bethel Census Area?▼
23 community water systems serve 23 communities here.
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