Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in Alaska Drinking Water

Ranked by nitrate violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

14.4 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

Health Violations

Analysis

Nitrate in Alaska: what the data shows

Alaska has 77 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 77 cities with at least one nitrate violation. Nitrate is the most common groundwater contaminant in the United States. It enters water supplies primarily through agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural and agricultural communities face the highest risk. The primary acute health concern is methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under six months. Emerging research also links chronic nitrate exposure to thyroid disease, certain cancers, and adverse birth outcomes. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation can remove nitrate from drinking water — standard carbon filters do not.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 mg/L EPA MCL

Alaska

100%

77 of 77 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

8001 of 8001 cities

City Map

Nitrate data across Alaska

Each dot is a city with nitrate violation data. Cities with at least one nitrate-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by nitrate level in Alaska

Highest Nitrate levels (violations)

All Cities

All Alaska cities ranked by nitrate level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Anchorage	159 violations	Yes	63	F
2	Wasilla	81 violations	Yes	203	F
3	Fairbanks	56 violations	Yes	94	F
4	Palmer	54 violations	Yes	58	F
5	Chugiak	49 violations	Yes	12	D+
6	Eagle River	42 violations	Yes	6	D
7	Manokotak	39 violations	Yes	23	F
8	Bethel	31 violations	Yes	32	D
9	Copper Center	31 violations	Yes	15	D
10	Dillingham	29 violations	Yes	6	D
11	Mountain Village	24 violations	Yes	18	D+
12	Seward	21 violations	Yes	10	D
13	Kipnuk	20 violations	Yes	28	D+
14	Ketchikan	18 violations	Yes	238	F
15	Cordova	16 violations	Yes	3	B
16	Alakanuk	16 violations	Yes	69	D
17	Soldotna	15 violations	Yes	68	F
18	Delta Junction	15 violations	Yes	10	F
19	Scammon Bay	14 violations	Yes	41	D+
20	New Stuyahok	14 violations	Yes	21	D+
21	Homer	13 violations	Yes	24	D
22	Pilot Station	13 violations	Yes	7	D+
23	Kenai	12 violations	Yes	10	F
24	Metlakatla	12 violations	Yes	37	D
25	Kongiganak	12 violations	Yes	90	D
26	Juneau	11 violations	Yes	11	C+
27	Unalaska	11 violations	Yes	3	C
28	Valdez	11 violations	Yes	1	D
29	Emmonak	11 violations	Yes	135	D
30	Chefornak	11 violations	Yes	16	D+
31	Skagway	10 violations	Yes	9	B
32	Hooper Bay	10 violations	Yes	12	D
33	King Cove	9 violations	Yes	13	C-
34	Selawik	9 violations	Yes	191	D
35	Galena	9 violations	Yes	78	D
36	Yakutat	9 violations	Yes	11	C
37	Toksook Bay	9 violations	Yes	1	C+
38	Buckland	9 violations	Yes	136	D
39	Shishmaref	9 violations	Yes	114	D+
40	Chevak	8 violations	Yes	2	D+
41	Fort Richardson	7 violations	Yes	2	B+
42	Noorvik	7 violations	Yes	87	D
43	Nikiski	7 violations	Yes	9	C-
44	Saint Mary'S	7 violations	Yes	19	D
45	Kodiak	6 violations	Yes	17	D+
46	North Pole	6 violations	Yes	3	B-
47	Girdwood	6 violations	Yes	3	D
48	Haines	6 violations	Yes	19	D
49	Klawock	6 violations	Yes	86	D
50	Sand Point	6 violations	Yes	39	D
51	Kwethluk	6 violations	Yes	64	D+
52	Quinhagak	6 violations	Yes	64	D
53	Stebbins	6 violations	Yes	40	D+
54	Togiak	5 violations	Yes	2	B+
55	Kasigluk	5 violations	Yes	8	F
56	Hoonah	4 violations	Yes	26	D+
57	Savoonga	4 violations	Yes	2	C-
58	Unalakleet	4 violations	Yes	162	F
59	Gambell	4 violations	Yes	91	D
60	Whittier	4 violations	Yes	0	B
61	Kotlik	4 violations	Yes	32	D
62	Wainwright	4 violations	Yes	48	D+
63	Salcha	4 violations	Yes	1	D
64	Barrow	3 violations	Yes	3	C+
65	Kotzebue	3 violations	Yes	108	F
66	Petersburg	3 violations	Yes	4	A-
67	Wrangell	3 violations	Yes	29	C
68	Talkeetna	3 violations	Yes	1	A-
69	Craig	3 violations	Yes	38	C+
70	Anchor Point	3 violations	Yes	1	B-
71	Akiachak	3 violations	Yes	1	D
72	Sitka	2 violations	Yes	14	B
73	Nome	2 violations	Yes	7	B
74	Pt. Hope	2 violations	Yes	50	B-
75	Fort Yukon	2 violations	Yes	6	F
76	Fort Wainwright	1 violations	Yes	2	B-
77	Eielson	1 violations	Yes	4	B-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about nitrate in Alaska

Is nitrate in Alaska tap water dangerous?

Yes — 77 cities in Alaska have nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL is 10 mg/L. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants under six months, where it can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"). Adults face lower acute risk, but chronic exposure is linked to thyroid disease and certain cancers.

How can I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation are effective at removing nitrate. Standard carbon filters (including most pitcher and faucet-mount filters) do NOT remove nitrate. If you rely on a private well in an agricultural area, have your water tested annually for nitrate.

What causes high nitrate levels in Alaska water?

Nitrate contamination comes primarily from agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural communities near intensive farming are most at risk. Shallow wells are particularly vulnerable. Heavy rainfall can spike nitrate levels as it washes fertilizer into groundwater and surface water supplies.

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