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KAKTOVIK WATER RESPONSE
Updates
Official North Slope Borough notices and updates related to the Kaktovik water incident and ongoing response.
KAKTOVIK WATER RESPONSE
Updates
Official North Slope Borough notices and updates related to the Kaktovik water incident and ongoing response.
October 1, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team, Community Update
September 29 Kaktovik Water Response Town Hall Update. The Do Not Drink Order has been lifted, and Kaktovik’s community water is safe to drink. The North Slope Borough is continuing proactive testing, maintenance, inspections, and system improvements. KaktovikWater.org will remain the central source for water response updates and information.
September 29, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team, Update Overview
Update Overview: The Kaktovik Do Not Drink Order was lifted September 26. Residents may safely resume normal water use. Glycol testing remains available, with nine home samples returning non-detects. The Borough will continue regular glycol monitoring. The North Water Tank is refilling, and community health and support services remain available.
September 28, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team, Town Hall Public Notice
Kaktovik residents are invited to a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, September 29, from 5–6 PM at Kaktovik City Hall. Representatives will provide updates following the lifting of the Do Not Drink Order, discuss next steps, and answer community questions.
September 26, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team, Do Not Drink Order Lifted, September 26
The Alaska DEC has lifted Kaktovik’s Do Not Drink Order, effective immediately. Residents may resume normal use of public water. Optional glycol tap testing remains available, with bottled water provided upon request until testing is completed.
September 23, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team Operational Update, September 23
The Do Not Drink the Water notice remains in effect. September 14 samples showed no detectable glycols above laboratory limits. North Tank refilling continues, with approximately 276,000 gallons stored. Officials continue evaluating results and will provide updates as information becomes available.
September 21, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team Operational Update, September 21
The Do Not Drink the Water notice remains in effect. Residents should continue using alternative water sources for consumption. North Tank refilling continues, with approximately 137,000 gallons stored. Pressure testing confirmed reservoir heating-loop piping is sound. Additional updates will follow.
September 19, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team Operational Update, September 19
The Do Not Drink the Water notice remains in effect. North Tank refilling is underway, and additional water testing is pending. Medical evaluations of over 65 residents found no evidence of ethylene glycol toxicity. Residents should use alternative drinking water sources and store whale meat pending test results. Visit KaktovikWater.org.
September 17, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team PSA, Website Launch September 17
The Kaktovik Water Response Joint Information Center has launched KaktovikWater.org as a central resource for the latest health and safety information, water system updates, testing results, public notices, FAQs, and other information related to the ongoing Kaktovik water response.
September 16, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team Operational Update, September 16
The Do Not Drink the Water notice remains in effect. North Tank cleaning and refilling are underway, with additional laboratory results pending. The failed heat exchanger has been removed, and system inspections continue. Potable water remains available through bottled supplies, 5-gallon jugs, and approved water-truck distribution.
September 15, 2026
Kaktovik Water Incident Management Team Operational Update, September 15
The Do Not Drink Water notice remains in effect. September 14 lab results detected no ethylene or propylene glycol above detection limits. A failed North Tank heat exchanger was identified and removed. Additional testing, sampling, system upgrades, water replacement, treatment evaluation, and investigation continue. Further updates will be provided.
September 14, 2026
Public Notice: Coordinated Kaktovik Water Response Underway
The North Slope Borough has established an Incident Command to coordinate the response to the Kaktovik water incident. A Joint Information Center, or JIC, has also been activated to provide Kaktovik residents with clear, timely, and consistent information on behalf of the organizations involved in the response.
September 12, 2026
Kaktovik Water Pumping and Lagoon Discharge Begins Sunday
The North Slope Borough will begin pumping water from Kaktovik’s water system on Sunday, September 13 to create space in the community’s water storage tanks for new potable water. The Do Not Drink notice remains in effect during and after this work until the community is notified otherwise.
September 10, 2026
Public Notice: Kaktovik — Do Not Drink the Water
The North Slope Borough continues to urge Kaktovik residents not to drink the community water while testing and investigation continue. The notice includes updated information about testing results, safe drinking water, household water use and the ongoing response.
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