Hardness
Very Hard
196 PPM · 11.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Russian Mission, AK 99657
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Kusilvak Census Area.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Russian Mission Water System
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Kusilvak Census Area
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.0011 mg/L
7% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 340 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
196 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
196
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
11.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 196 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
1
Nearest site
45.8 mi
Observation range
Feb 24, 2016–Jan 21, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: YUKON R AT PILOT STATION AK (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 99657 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Russian Mission median
196 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 196–196 PPM
Alaska median
83 PPM
113 PPM higher18 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 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.0011 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2026
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0011
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 19
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2026through Feb 28, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | AK2270168 | Unaddressed | Jan 31, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AK2270168 | Resolved | Dec 4, 2024through Jun 2, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Mar 13, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Oct 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2024through Feb 29, 2024 |
| Nitrate | AK2270168 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Jul 31, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | May 1, 2023through May 31, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2023through Mar 31, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Aug 23, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Jan 31, 2023 |
| E. COLI | AK2270168 | Resolved | Oct 27, 2022through Jul 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2022through Aug 31, 2022 |
| Nitrate | AK2270168 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2022through Dec 31, 2022 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2021through Nov 30, 2021 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AK2270168 | Resolved | Mar 9, 2021through Mar 9, 2021 |
| Nitrate | AK2270168 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2021through Dec 31, 2021 |
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 Russian Mission ZIP 99657 using 196 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
196 PPM is 2× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Groundwater Rule has 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 Russian Mission
Is tap water safe in Russian Mission?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation 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 196 PPM, or 11.5 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 196 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.