Is Saint Mary'S, AK Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
45/100
waterverge.com Saint Mary'S, AK — Water Quality Report
Saint Mary'S's drinking water received a grade of D (45 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 548 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 266 violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 23 remain unresolved.
What to know about Saint Mary'S's water
Saint Mary'S ranks #65 out of 79 cities in Alaska for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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.
As a small community water system, Saint Mary'S may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 58 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Saint Mary'S, AK water safe to drink?
Saint Mary'S's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (45/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 548 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Saint Mary'S
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Saint Mary'S's water quality assessment. Grade: D (45/100).
Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Saint Mary'S's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Saint Mary'S's water system has 266 total violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 23 remain unresolved. 58 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Where does Saint Mary'S's water come from?
Saint Mary'S's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 548 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Saint Mary'S residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Saint Mary'S's water.
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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Saint Mary'S's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 2.02 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how Saint Mary'S compares by contaminant
Explore where Saint Mary'S ranks among all Alaska cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Saint Mary'S's water comes from
Saint Mary'S's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 548 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Saint Mary'S
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST. MARYS WATER SYSTEM | AK2270176 | 548 | SW |
How Saint Mary'S compares
Full Alaska rankings →Saint Mary'S's score of 45/100 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.
Nearby cities
View Alaska rankings →About Saint Mary'S, AK
Wikipedia →St. Mary's is a city in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska, United States. The adjacent village of Andreafsky joined with St. Mary's in 1980. As of the 2020 census, St. Mary's had a population of 599.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Saint Mary'S's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Wade Hampton Census Area
Frequently asked questions
Is Saint Mary'S, AK tap water safe to drink?
Saint Mary'S's water quality earned a grade of D (45/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #65 out of 79 cities tested in Alaska.
What contaminants are in Saint Mary'S's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 266 violations are on record.
How is Saint Mary'S'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 Saint Mary'S?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Saint Mary'S's water come from?
Saint Mary'S's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 548 residents.
What health violations has Saint Mary'S's water system had?
Saint Mary'S has 19 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 23 violations remain unresolved.
How does Saint Mary'S's water compare to other cities?
Saint Mary'S ranks #65 out of 79 cities in Alaska (better than 18% of state cities) and #14311 out of 15744 cities nationally (9th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Saint Mary'S's small water system affect quality?
Saint Mary'S's system serves approximately 548 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 266 violations on record.