Hardness
Soft
44.4 PPM · 2.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Ketchikan, AK 99901
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Ketchikan Gateway Borough.
3 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Ketchikan Public Utilities
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater influenced by surface water
- County
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
3 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
7 systems
Serves 8,937 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
44.4 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
44.4
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
2.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 44.4 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
12
Nearest site
32 mi
Observation range
Dec 7, 2017–Jan 20, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: UNUK R N CH 1.3 MI AB EULACHON R NR WRANGELL AK (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 99901 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Ketchikan median
44 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 44.4–44.4 PPM
Alaska median
83 PPM
39 PPM lower18 indexed ZIP readings · Range 36.7–199 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass3 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2026
Copper (CU90)
1.64 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2017
Numerical coverage
4 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.64
EPA limit 1.3
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.14
EPA limit 0.06
TTHM
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.083
EPA limit 0.08
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 87
- Health-based
- 35
- Active health-based
- 3
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2121123 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2121123 | Archived | Feb 1, 2026through Feb 28, 2026 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.14 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | AK2120012 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2121123 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2121123 | Archived | Dec 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2120606 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2025through Nov 30, 2025 |
| Chlorine | AK2120606 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2025through Nov 30, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.181 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | AK2120012 | Archived | Oct 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AK2121527 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2121123 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2025through Oct 31, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AK2121479 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | AK2121123 | Unaddressed | Jul 19, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.076 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | AK2121510 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.228 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | AK2120012 | Archived | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.083 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | AK2120012 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AK2121527 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 2, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.079 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | AK2121510 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.174 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | AK2120012 | Archived | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2121123 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 0.07 MG/L · MCL 0.06 | AK2121510 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Ketchikan ZIP 99901 using 44.4 PPM nearby hardness and 4 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM, Revised Total Coliform Rule have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Ketchikan
Is tap water safe in Ketchikan?+
EPA ECHO reports 3 active health-based violations among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 44.4 PPM, or 2.6 grains per gallon, classified as soft. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.