Water issues

The city collected water samples from 10 homes during a routine check in August. Two came back above the Environmental Protection Agency’s lead action level of 15 parts per billion, which triggers extra testing, public notice and a review of how the water is treated.

According to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, about 85 percent of Ambler's main water lines are cracked, unable to hold pressure, and require replacement.

The March 26 declaration covers Ambler, Buckland, Shungnak and Selawik. Borough officials say they are also working to include Kiana, which experienced a major freeze-up after the city’s water pipes failed.

Four Kotzebue residents filed suit in Kotzebue Superior Court on Jan. 21. They allege the city failed to provide “safe, effective and sanitary” water and sewer to its residents, which the lawsuit describes as a breach of contract.

Community members say the water has been restored. But with winter rapidly approaching, some of the 800 residents in the Northwest Arctic community still worry about the town's water situation.

On Friday, the City of Kotzebue issued a health advisory for manganese levels in the community’s drinking water.

According to the city officials, Kotzebue’s water treatment plant is not “reliably and consistently” removing manganese below the maximum contamination levels.

The city manager said as of last Wednesday, more than three dozen homes still don’t have running water. Another 20 homes are without plumbing from damaged service lines – the pipes that connect a household to the main water line.

City officials said the pipe froze up, compromising water quality and supply to nearly 200 homes. The City of Kotzebue and the Northwest Arctic Borough declared a disaster four days later.

Residents blame the city’s new treatment plant. State regulators point to another possible culprit: routine fire hydrant flushing.