Skip to main content
WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 99723 Water Quality Report

Barrow, AK · North Slope Borough County

Safety Score
A

Water Safety Grade

Excellent — Meets all EPA standards

Health Violations

1

Total Violations

10

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

1

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 99723

Tap water in ZIP code 99723 (Barrow, AK) is among the safest in the country. Served by Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu, this area earned a water safety grade of A with a composite score of 87/100 — indicating full regulatory compliance and low contaminant risk across EPA monitoring periods.

Water System

Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu

EPA ID: AK2320078

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

4,900 residents

County

North Slope Borough County, Alaska

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 99723

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 99723. This may occur with very small systems or systems that report under a parent utility. Contact Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu directly to request lead testing results or a copy of their Consumer Confidence Report.

Lead exposure risk in 99723 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 45% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This may reflect a mix of older and newer housing stock and infrastructure. Families with young children should test their home's water and consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

45%
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.
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. A single health violation means the water exceeded an EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) at some point. Most water systems resolve these quickly, but residents should review the Consumer Confidence Report for details. 1 violation is currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility. Additionally, this area has had 1 boil water advisory — temporary orders issued when microbial contamination risk is elevated.

Total Violations (5 yr)
10
Health-Based Violations
1
Unresolved Violations
1
Boil Water Advisories
1
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk is rated High. Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu has a pattern of compliance issues that goes beyond isolated incidents. Residents should stay informed via their utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant associated with health-based violations in ZIP code 99723: E. coli. These contaminants exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act at some point in the 5-year monitoring period. The presence of these violations does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe — water systems are often required to increase monitoring and treatment when violations occur. Review the annual Consumer Confidence Report for the most current status.

E. coli

⚖ Enforcement Actions

10 enforcement actions have been issued against Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
🌊

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

Lower potential

Zone 3
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

4.91%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 99723 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 99723 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 99723?+
Yes — tap water in 99723 (Barrow, AK) currently meets all federal EPA standards with a water safety grade of A. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years. You can drink your tap water with confidence, though running the tap for 30 seconds in the morning is always a good practice.
What is the lead level in 99723 tap water?+
Lead level data from EPA monitoring is not available for 99723. Contact Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu directly for the most recent lead testing results.
Who provides tap water to 99723?+
Tap water in ZIP code 99723 is provided by Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu (EPA ID: AK2320078). This system serves approximately 4,900 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 99723?+
ZIP code 99723 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 99723 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 1 unresolved violation on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 99723?+
Your water utility — Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 99723?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 99723, with detected contaminants including E. coli, a multi-stage filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended.
Is 99723 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Current EPA data for 99723 shows no available lead data — we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter as a precaution for infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 99723 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 Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (bu. 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 →