01The verdict: is Salcha water safe?
Salcha's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 508 residents using groundwater (wells).
13 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 3.3 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓42 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 ↓Salcha's drinking water received a grade of D (49 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 508 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 3.3 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 62 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 13 remain unresolved.
Salcha ranks #42 out of 73 cities in Alaska for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Salcha 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, Salcha may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 42 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Salcha's water
Every contaminant flagged in Salcha, 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. | 3.3 | 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
03Salcha'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 62 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 13 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 3.3 ppb since 2015. Latest reading: 3.3 ppb (2018) — 22% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Salcha's water comes from
Salcha'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 local government ownership.
508 people
Residents served across Salcha'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 508 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALCHA COMMUNITY WATERING POINT | AK2312415 | 508 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Salcha
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05How Salcha compares
Scores for nearby Alaska cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Alaska average (61/100)
Salcha scores 49/100 — 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 Salcha's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Salcha'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 Salcha 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 Salcha, AK tap water safe to drink?
Salcha's water quality earned a grade of D (49/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #42 out of 73 cities tested in Alaska.
What contaminants are in Salcha's water?
Lead was measured at 3.3 ppb (90th percentile). 62 violations are on record.
How is Salcha'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 Salcha?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Salcha's water come from?
Salcha's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 508 residents.
What health violations has Salcha's water system had?
Salcha has 1 health-based violation 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. 13 violations remain unresolved.
Is Salcha's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Salcha 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 62 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 Salcha's water compare to other cities?
Salcha ranks #42 out of 73 cities in Alaska (better than 42% of state cities) and #13135 out of 15382 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Salcha's small water system affect quality?
Salcha's system serves approximately 508 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 62 violations on record.