01The verdict: is Pilot Station water safe?
Pilot Station's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 580 residents using groundwater (wells).
14 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 ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.8 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓21 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 ↓Pilot Station's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 580 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.8 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 332 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
Pilot Station ranks #36 out of 73 cities in Alaska for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Pilot Station 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, Pilot Station may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 21 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Pilot Station's water
Every contaminant flagged in Pilot Station, 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. | 4.8 | 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
03Pilot Station'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 332 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
2 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.
▲ Up 4.8 ppb since 1998. Latest reading: 4.8 ppb (2025) — 32% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Pilot Station's water comes from
Pilot Station's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under native american ownership.
580 people
Residents served across Pilot Station's service area.
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 580 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PILOT STATION WATER SYSTEM | AK2260163 | 580 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Pilot Station
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05How Pilot Station compares
Scores for nearby Alaska cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Alaska average (61/100)
Pilot Station scores 50/100 — 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
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Pilot Station's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Pilot Station's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
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 Pilot Station 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 Pilot Station, AK tap water safe to drink?
Pilot Station's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #36 out of 73 cities tested in Alaska.
What contaminants are in Pilot Station's water?
Lead was measured at 4.8 ppb (90th percentile). 332 violations are on record.
How is Pilot Station'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 Pilot Station?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Pilot Station's water come from?
Pilot Station's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 580 residents.
What health violations has Pilot Station's water system had?
Pilot Station has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 14 violations remain unresolved.
Is Pilot Station's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Pilot Station 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 332 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 Pilot Station's water compare to other cities?
Pilot Station ranks #36 out of 73 cities in Alaska (better than 51% of state cities) and #12939 out of 15382 cities nationally (16th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Pilot Station's small water system affect quality?
Pilot Station's system serves approximately 580 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 332 violations on record.