WaterVerge

Is Mountain Village, AK Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D+, with 30 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

850 residents served 1 water system PWSID: AK2270150
Overall Score
52 / 100
Violations
30 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#30 of 79 in Alaska Top 82% nationally
Native American
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
D+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
52/100
waterverge.com
D+ 52/100

Mountain Village, AK — Water Quality Report

Mountain Village's drinking water received a grade of D+ (52 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 850 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 1209 violations on record, including 18 health-based violations. 30 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Mountain Village's water

Mountain Village ranks #30 out of 79 cities in Alaska for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Mountain Village relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Mountain Village may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 114 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
52 out of 100 Grade D+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Mountain Village, AK water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Mountain Village's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (52/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 850 residents using groundwater (wells).

30
Active Violations
1.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Mountain Village

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Mountain Village's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (52/100).

Violation
6 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Arsenic, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine, Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine, Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Mountain Village's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Mountain Village's water system has 1,209 total violations on record, including 18 health-based violations. 30 remain unresolved. 114 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRMONTTOtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2025 Arsenic Resolved
Jan 2025 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2025 Nitrate Resolved
Jan 2025 Nitrate Resolved

Where does Mountain Village's water come from?

Mountain Village's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 850 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Mountain Village residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Mountain Village's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 10% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

1209
Total violations
18
Health-based
30
Active / unresolved
Jan 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

1209 Total
30 Active
18 Health-based
1179 Resolved
12 SNC
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
640
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
300
Inorganic Chemicals
75
Total Coliform Rule
55
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
43
Jan 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Nov 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Mar 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Sep 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2020 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Showing 20 of 1209 violations

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.5 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.5 ppb from 1995 (0.0 ppb) to 2021 (1.5 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Mountain Village compares by contaminant

Explore where Mountain Village ranks among all Alaska cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Native American
Population Served
850
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Mountain Village's water comes from

Groundwater

Mountain Village's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by native american ownership and serves approximately 850 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Mountain Village

System Name PWSID Population Source
MOUNTAIN VILLAGE WATER SYSTEM AK2270150 850 GW
Regional Comparison

How Mountain Village compares

Full Alaska rankings →

Mountain Village's score of 52/100 is below the average of 61/100 among major Alaska cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Mountain Village (this city)
52
Anchorage
38.5
Fairbanks
38.4
Juneau
65.4
Wasilla
42.5
Alaska avg
61
City Profile

About Mountain Village, AK

Wikipedia →

Mountain Village is a city in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska, United States, located on the Yukon River near the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. As of the 2020 census, Mountain Village had a population of 621.

Economic Profile
$45,000
Median Income
$728/mo
Median Rent
15%
Unemployment
Community
22.6
Median Age
81
People / sq mi
3.2%
College Educated
65%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Mountain Village, AK tap water safe to drink?

Mountain Village's water quality earned a grade of D+ (52/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #30 out of 79 cities tested in Alaska.

What contaminants are in Mountain Village's water?

Lead was measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile). 1209 violations are on record.

How is Mountain Village'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 Mountain Village?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Mountain Village's water come from?

Mountain Village's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 850 residents.

What health violations has Mountain Village's water system had?

Mountain Village has 18 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 30 violations remain unresolved.

Is Mountain Village's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Mountain Village uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 1209 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Mountain Village's water compare to other cities?

Mountain Village ranks #30 out of 79 cities in Alaska (better than 62% of state cities) and #12832 out of 15744 cities nationally (19th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Mountain Village's small water system affect quality?

Mountain Village's system serves approximately 850 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 1209 violations on record.