September 29, 2026 13:38
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Kaktovik Do Not Drink Order Lifted
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Drinking Water Program has rescinded the Do Not Drink Order for Kaktovik, effective immediately. Residents may resume using water from the Kaktovik public water system for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and making ice.
Residents who would like a field test for glycol at their tap may contact the North Slope Borough Department of Public Works in Kaktovik at (907) 640-6514 or (907) 640-6515. The Borough will continue providing bottled water to residents who request a tap test until their test is complete. A tap test is optional; residents do not need to wait for one to resume using the water.
Operational Update
• The Do Not Drink notice has been officially lifted.
• Incident Command continues providing potable water to the community while house testing continues to be offered.• The failed heat exchanger associated with the North Water Tank has been removed from the potable-water system.• Upgrades are being planned for all heat exchangers.
• The response team pressure-tested the reservoir heating-loop piping to rule out other potential sources of contamination. The heating-looping piping passed the pressure test.
• All collected water samples have been processed to the satisfaction of DEC and the Borough. One additional total coliform sample is required for the North Water Tank before using the North Water Tank.
• The Borough commits to institute monthly glycol laboratory testing for the next three months, October, November and December to ensure nothing was overlooked during the initial incident response. Regular glycol testing will continue quarterly until additional information or guidance becomes available.
• Medical, public-health, behavioral-health, veterinary, and other community support remains available.
• This is a coordinated response involving the North Slope Borough, City of Kaktovik, Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, UIC Municipal Services, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Alaska Department of Health, Arctic Slope Native Association, Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital, and other technical and health specialists.
Incident Overview
• August 16: A chemical incident occurred at the Kaktovik Water Treatment Plant involving the South Water Tank.
• August 17: The South Water Tank was isolated. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation was notified and, based on the information available at the time, calculated an estimated ethylene glycol concentration of approximately 0.024 mg/L.
• August 25: Samples were collected and sent to a certified laboratory for glycol analysis.
• September 5: Laboratory results detected 26 mg/L of ethylene glycol in the distribution system and 33 mg/L of ethylene glycol in the South Water Tank, substantially higher than the initial estimate. The North Slope Borough issued a Do Not Drink notice and began emergency potable-water operations.
• September 7: Additional samples were collected from multiple locations throughout the water system for laboratory analysis.
• September 11: A community town hall was held with state, federal, medical, and Borough participants.
• September 13: The Borough began discharging affected stored water from the North Water Tank into the Kaktovik Lagoon to create capacity for replacement potable water.
• September 14: Laboratory results from the September 7 samples showed no ethylene glycol or propylene glycol detected above the laboratory method detection limits in samples from the North and South water storage tanks, both heating-loop returns, the nanofiltration system, and the water truck. Additional samples were collected September 14.
• September 14: Additional mechanical testing identified a failed heat exchanger associated with the North Water Tank. The investigation continues to determine whether there are other potential sources or pathways of contamination.
• September 19: Cleaning and preparation of the North Water Tank were complete, and refilling through the lake pipeline was underway. The Do Not Drink notice remained in effect.
• September 18: An on-site clinical team reported no evidence of ethylene glycol toxicity in the September charts it reviewed or in testing of more than 90 residents.
• September 21: The North Water Tank held approximately 137,000 gallons. The team continued refilling as weather permitted, maintained emergency drinking-water distribution, and evaluated options for water in the isolated South Water Tank.
• September 21: Pressure testing found the North and South Water Tank heating-loop piping sound.
• September 23: Laboratory results from the September 14 samples showed no ethylene glycol or propylene glycol detected in all samples. Samples were from the Water Delivery Truck, Nanofilter Water, North and South Water Tanks, and the North and South water distribution loop returns.
• September 23: The North Water Tank held approximately 311,000 gallons.
• September 23: Operations and DEC were awaiting total-coliform results and working toward lifting the Do Not Drink notice. Sample kits were ordered from the Deadhorse laboratory.
• September 25: Laboratory samples were collected for total coliform bacteriological testing from the North and South Water Tanks, Water Delivery Truck, North and South water distribution loops.
• September 25: The North Water Tank held approximately 411,000 gallons.
• September 26: Laboratory results for the total coliform testing were negative for total coliform bacteria. The North and South Water Tanks, Water Delivery Truck and the North and South water distribution loops were verified sanitary. The North Water Tank requires one additional test as the tank fills to confirm it is approved for distribution.
• September 26: Do Not Drink order lifted by DEC, and notice provided to the community. Residents offered in-home glycol testing to confirm water is free of ethylene glycol.
• September 28: House glycol sampling – 9 homes requesting tests on 9/28 with 9 sampling complete with non-detects at each sample.
• September 28: The North Water Tank held approximately 617,000 gallons.
• September 29: The North Water Tank held approximately 673,000 gallons.
• September 29: Townhall meeting scheduled for 5pm.
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 29, 2026:
NSB-IMT Kaktovik Water Update Overview, September 29
Past Public Service Announcements
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 26, 2026:
NSB-IMT Kaktovik Water Do Not Drink Order Lifted, September 26
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 23, 2026:
NSB-IMT Kaktovik Water Operational Update, September 23
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 21, 2026:
NSB-IMT Kaktovik Water Operational Update, September 21
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 19, 2026:
NSB-IMT Kaktovik Water Operational Update, September 19
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 16, 2026:
NSB-IMT Kaktovik Water Operational Update, September 16
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 15, 2026:
NSB-IMT Kaktovik Water Operational Update, September 15
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 14, 2026:
NSBIC-JIC-Kaktovik PSA IC Structure, JIC and Townhall
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 12, 2026:
NSB KAKTOVIK PUBLIC Water Pumping and Lagoon Discharge
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 10, 2026:
NSB KAKTOVIK PUBLIC WATER NOTICE + FAQs
Please click the following link for the PDF version of the Public Service Announcement, September 5, 2026:
NSB KAKTOVIK PUBLIC WATER NOTICE + FAQs
Please click the following link for a flyer from the NSB Department of Health & Social Services:
