Information for you from your sanitation department, if you have any question or concerns feel free to call the City of Kwethluk Sanitation department at 907-757-6022.
2023 Kwethluk (AK2272017) Consumer
Confidence Report
Is my water safe?
We are pleased to present this year’s Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as
required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This report is designed to provide details about where
your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. This
report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. We are committed to providing you with information
because informed customers are our best allies.
Do I need to take special precautions?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.
Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have
undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and
infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water
from their health care providers.
EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by
Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Water Drinking Hotline
(800-426-4791).
Where does my water come from?
Our water comes from a surface water intake located in the Kwethluk River. The raw water is treated with a
conventional treatment process then disinfected with chlorine before being distributed throughout the piped
system.
Source water assessment and its availability
The source water assessment has not yet been completed by the ADEC as a first step towards voluntary
local source water protection efforts. A complete Source Water Assessment will include vulnerability
rankings based on the susceptibility of the drinking water source, recent sampling results, and the presence
of potential contaminant sources – they do not necessarily indicate these contaminants will reach your
source of water.
Once the source water assessment is completed, copies of the completed assessments are given to the local
water system operator and the Alaska Resources Library & Information Services (ARLIS) located at 3211
Providence Drive, Room 111 Anchorage, AK 99508; phone number 907-272-7547. For more information,
call the Drinking Water Protection Program at (907) 269- 7549.
Why are there contaminants in my drinking water?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of
some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health
risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). The sources of
drinking water (both tap water and bottled water)
include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the
land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive
material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity:
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment
plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife;
• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from
urban stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production,
mining, or farming;
• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban
stormwater runoff, and residential uses;
• Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-
products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations,
urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems;
• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas
production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain
contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations
establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
How can I get involved?
You can contact the water plant operator at the City (907)-757-6022 for more information on how you can
help.
Monitoring and reporting of compliance data violations
Alkalinity and Total Organic Carbon – Monitoring
Conventional treatment plant required to collected monthly Total Organic Carbon (raw and treated) and
Alkalinity (raw water) samples. We did not do this in the months of February, April, May, June, July,
August, October, November, and December; All violations returned to compliance. Alkalinity, measured as
calcium carbonate, has no health effects. However, alkalinity has a direct effect on pH – as alkalinity
increases, pH increases. pH is an influential factor in the formation of disinfection byproducts. These
byproducts include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Drinking water
containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney
problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.
Lead & Copper – Monitoring
We are required to sample for lead and copper annually. We did not do this in 2023. Infants and children
who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or
mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who
drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Copper is an
essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a
relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water
containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage.
VOC Sampling – Monitoring
We are required to sample for volatile organic chemicals annually. We did not do this in 2023. Some people
who drink water containing volatile organic chemicals in excess of the MCLs over many years could
experience one or more of the following: skin damage, problems with their circulatory system, increased
cholesterol, increased blood pressure, liver damage, kidney problems, nervous system problems and may
have an increased risk of getting cancer. This violation has been returned to compliance.
E. coli – Monitoring
We are required to sample monthly for total coliform bacteria and E. coli. We did not do this for the
month(s) of February, April, June, July, September, October, November, and December.
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other,
potentially harmful, bacteria (like E. coli) may be present. In the months we did sample, we received
negative test results. All the violations have now been returned to compliance.
Disinfection By-Products – Monitoring
We are required to collect samples for disinfection by-products [Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) and
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)] quarterly. We did not do this in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters.
Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may
experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of
getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many
years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Both are by-products of drinking water chlorination.
Nitrate – Monitoring
We are required to sample for nitrate annually. We did not do this in 2023. Infants below the age of six
months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if
untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. We have now returned
to compliance in 2024 and our results were well below EPA limit.
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring
We are required to monitor disinfectant residual at the same time and location in the distribution system as
the total coliform bacteria sample is collected and include that information on the Total Coliform lab form.
We did not include the disinfectant residual in the months of April, June, July, September, October,
November, and December of 2023. April, Jun, and July violations have been returned to compliance. Some
people who use water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to
their eyes/nose and stomach discomfort. Untreated water may contain organisms, including bacteria, viruses,
and parasites, that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.
Monthly Operator Reports – Entry Point Chlorine and Turbidity Monitoring
We are required to submit monthly operator reports to ADEC. These reports cover the levels of turbidity and
chlorine in the water. We turned in our operator report late in May, and didn’t submit one in July. We did
not include enough chlorine readings in February, April, May, August, September, November, and
December. The November and December violations remain open, but the others have returned to
compliance. Health effects unknown.
Treatment Technique Violations
Sanitary Survey Corrective Actions
We had a sanitary survey performed by an approved inspector as required during 2021. As a result of the
sanitary survey, one corrective action was required. Air gaps for a number of the drain lines in the treatment
plant, associated with the turbidimeter and SCD panel, are inadequate. The water system plans to address
the corrective actions. Unknown health effects.
Treatment Technique – Entry Point Chlorine < 0.2 at the Entry Point
We are required to treat our water with chlorine to kill any microscopic organisms that may be present. For
several days in the months of November, October, September, August, June, and January 2023, we did not
meet the state-required minimum residual 0.3 mg/L. We also did not meet the requirement of 0.2mg/L for
multiple days in September, August, and January; however, all violations returned to compliance once we
were able to meet the minimum residual. Untreated water may contain organisms, including bacteria,
viruses, and parasites, that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.
Additional Information for Lead
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and
young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service
lines and home plumbing. Kwethluk New Piped Water System is responsible for providing high quality
drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water
has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for
30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your
water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and
steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Water Quality Data Table
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of
contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The table below lists all of the drinking water
contaminants that we detected during the calendar year of this report.
Although many more contaminants were tested, only those substances listed below were found in your
water. All sources of drinking water contain some naturally occurring contaminants. At low levels, these
substances are generally not harmful in our drinking water. Removing all contaminants would be extremely
expensive, and in most cases, would not provide increased protection of public health. A few naturally
occurring minerals may actually improve the taste of drinking water and have nutritional value at low levels.
Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done in the calendar year of the
report. The EPA or the State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because
the concentrations of these contaminants do not vary significantly from year to year, or the system is not
considered vulnerable to this type of contamination. As such, some of our data, though representative, may
be more than one year old. In this table you will find terms and abbreviations that might not be familiar to
you. To help you better understand these terms, we have provided the definitions below the table.
Contaminants
MCLG
or
MRDLG
MCL,
TT, or
MRDL
Detect
In
Your
Water
Range
Sample
Low High Date Violation Typical Source
Disinfectants & Disinfection By-Products
(There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants)
Chlorine (as Cl2)
(ppm) 4 4 0.6 0.2 0.6 2023 No Water additive used to
control microbes
Haloacetic Acids
(HAA5) (ppb) NA 60 42 14.1 29 2023 No By-product of drinking
water chlorination
TTHMs [Total
Trihalomethanes]
(ppb)
NA 80 65 24.8 26.7 2023 No By-product of drinking
water disinfection
Inorganic Contaminants
Barium (ppm) 2 2 .01 NA NA 2020 No
Discharge of drilling wastes;
Discharge from metal
refineries; Erosion of natural
deposits
Nitrate [measured as
Nitrogen] (ppm) 10 10 0.16 NA NA 2022 No
Runoff from fertilizer use;
Leaching from septic tanks,
sewage; Erosion of natural
deposits
Microbiological Contaminants
Turbidity (NTU) NA 0.3 0 NA NA 2023 No Soil runoff
100% of the samples were below the TT value of 0.3. A value less than 95% constitutes a TT violation. The highest
single measurement was 0.195. Any measurement in excess of 1 is a violation unless otherwise approved by the
state.
Contaminants MCLG AL
Your
Water
Sample
Date
# Samples
Exceeding
AL
Exceeds
AL Typical Source
Inorganic Contaminants
Copper – action level at
consumer taps (ppm) 1.3 1.3 0.15 2020 0 No
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; Erosion of
natural deposits
Lead – action level at
consumer taps (ppb) 0 15 2.25 2020 0 No
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; Erosion of
natural deposits
Additional Contaminants
In an effort to insure the safest water possible the State has required us to monitor some contaminants not
required by Federal regulations. Of those contaminants only the ones listed below were found in your
water.
Contaminants
State
MCL
Your
Water Violation Explanation and Comment
Nickel 390
UG/L
1.68
UG/L No Leaching from metals in contact with drinking water, such as
pipes and fittings. Erosion of natural material deposits
Unit Descriptions
Term Definition
ppm ppm: parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
ppb ppb: parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (μg/L)
NTU NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it
because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.
NA NA: not applicable
ND ND: Not detected
NR NR: Monitoring not required, but recommended.
Important Drinking Water Definitions
Term Definition
MCLG MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below
which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
MCL
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in
drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available
treatment technology.
TT TT: Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in
drinking water.
AL AL: Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or
other requirements which a water system must follow.
Variances and
Exemptions
Variances and Exemptions: State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment
technique under certain conditions.
MRDLG
MRDLG: Maximum residual disinfection level goal. The level of a drinking water disinfectant
below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of
the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
MRDL
MRDL: Maximum residual disinfectant level. The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in
drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for
control of microbial contaminants.
Important Drinking Water Definitions
MNR MNR: Monitored Not Regulated
MPL MPL: State Assigned Maximum Permissible Level
Contact Name: City of Kwethluk Sanitation Dept.
Phone: (907) 757-6022