WaterVerge

Is Yakutat, AK Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C, with 27 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

740 residents served 1 water system PWSID: AK2130172
Overall Score
64.2 / 100
Violations
27 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#21 of 79 in Alaska Top 74% nationally
Native American
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
CGRADE
Water Quality Grade
64.2/100
waterverge.com
C 64.2/100

Yakutat, AK — Water Quality Report

Yakutat's drinking water received a grade of C (64.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 740 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.7 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 278 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 27 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Yakutat's water

Yakutat ranks #21 out of 79 cities in Alaska for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Yakutat 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, Yakutat may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 16 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
64.2 out of 100 Grade C
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
14.2/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.7 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Yakutat, AK water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Yakutat's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C (64.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 740 residents using groundwater (wells).

27
Active Violations
0.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Yakutat

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Yakutat's water quality assessment. Grade: C (64.2/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine, Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Yakutat's water system has 278 total violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 27 remain unresolved. 16 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRMONOtherTTMCL
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Chlorine Resolved
Oct 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Sep 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Nov 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Oct 2023 Chlorine Resolved

Where does Yakutat's water come from?

Yakutat's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 740 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Yakutat residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Yakutat'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
0.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 5% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

278
Total violations
11
Health-based
27
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

278 Total
27 Active
11 Health-based
251 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
64
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
61
Total Coliform Rule
45
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
40
Inorganic Chemicals
12
Oct 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Nov 2018 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Apr 2016 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Showing 20 of 278 violations

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.7 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 decreased by 8.3 ppb from 1993 (9.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.7 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Native American
Population Served
740
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Yakutat's water comes from

Groundwater

Yakutat'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 740 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Yakutat

System Name PWSID Population Source
YAKUTAT PWS AK2130172 740 GW
Regional Comparison

How Yakutat compares

Full Alaska rankings →

Yakutat's score of 64.2/100 is on par with the average of 61/100 among major Alaska cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Yakutat (this city)
64.2
Anchorage
38.5
Fairbanks
38.4
Juneau
65.4
Wasilla
42.5
Alaska avg
61
City Profile

About Yakutat, AK

Economic Profile
$76,875
Median Income
$1,304/mo
Median Rent
1.8%
Unemployment
Community
41.3
Median Age
2
People / sq mi
10.9%
College Educated
55.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Yakutat, AK tap water safe to drink?

Yakutat's water quality earned a grade of C (64.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #21 out of 79 cities tested in Alaska.

What contaminants are in Yakutat's water?

Lead was measured at 0.7 ppb (90th percentile). 278 violations are on record.

How is Yakutat'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 Yakutat?

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

Where does Yakutat's water come from?

Yakutat's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 740 residents.

What health violations has Yakutat's water system had?

Yakutat has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 27 violations remain unresolved.

Is Yakutat's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Yakutat 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 278 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 Yakutat's water compare to other cities?

Yakutat ranks #21 out of 79 cities in Alaska (better than 73% of state cities) and #11685 out of 15744 cities nationally (26th percentile). The grade of C reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Yakutat's small water system affect quality?

Yakutat's system serves approximately 740 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 278 violations on record.