01The verdict: is Hoonah water safe?
Hoonah's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of D+ (51.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 980 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
2 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓31 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Hoonah's drinking water received a grade of D+ (51.6 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 980 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 163 violations on record, including 26 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Hoonah ranks #30 out of 73 cities in Alaska for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Hoonah may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 31 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Hoonah's water
Every contaminant flagged in Hoonah, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 5.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Alaska
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Alaska
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Hoonah's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 163 violations on record, including 26 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
4 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 0.60 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5.6 ppb (2024) — 37% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Hoonah's water comes from
Hoonah's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under native american ownership.
980 people
Residents served across Hoonah's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by native american ownership and serves approximately 980 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOONAH PWS | AK2130067 | 980 | Surface Water |
05How Hoonah compares
Scores for nearby Alaska cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Alaska average (61/100)
Hoonah scores 51.6/100 — below the Alaska average of 61/100. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. Full Alaska rankings →
38.5 / 100FFairbanks, AK
38.4 / 100CJuneau, AK
65.4 / 100AElmendorf Air Force Base, AK
94.2 / 100FWasilla, AK
42.5 / 100BFort Richardson, AK
81.6 / 100
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Hoonah's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 5.6 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Hoonah alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Hoonah, AK tap water safe to drink?
Hoonah's water quality earned a grade of D+ (51.6/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #30 out of 73 cities tested in Alaska.
What contaminants are in Hoonah's water?
Lead was measured at 5.6 ppb (90th percentile). 163 violations are on record.
How is Hoonah's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Hoonah?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Hoonah's water come from?
Hoonah's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 980 residents.
What health violations has Hoonah's water system had?
Hoonah has 26 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Hoonah's water compare to other cities?
Hoonah ranks #30 out of 73 cities in Alaska (better than 59% of state cities) and #12632 out of 15382 cities nationally (18th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Hoonah's small water system affect quality?
Hoonah's system serves approximately 980 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 163 violations on record.