Alaska Water Quality — 79 Cities Tested

Analysis

Alaska water quality overview

Alaska's drinking water quality is below average overall, with an average score of 55.4 out of 100 across 79 cities tested. The median score is 50, serving a total population of 673,062 residents. 67% of cities scored a D or F, pointing to significant water quality challenges in parts of the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 8 of 79 cities tested (10%). 3 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. 1 city has lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb, often indicating aging infrastructure with lead service lines or lead solder. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 43 cities use groundwater while 36 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Alaska

8 cities

PFAS Detected

10% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.

1 cities

Lead Exceedances

Lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (90th percentile).

77 cities

Health Violations

56,191 total violations recorded, 79 with unresolved issues.

13 cities

Failing Systems

Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.

Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in Alaska

Lead in Alaska → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in Alaska → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in Alaska → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in Alaska

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Lithium →

State context

6

Superfund sites in Alaska

EPA National Priorities List

42.1%

of Alaska residents on fluoridated water

CDC, 2020

927,293

lbs released to surface water

Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023

Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in Alaska

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in Alaska, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 927,293 lbs

Facility	Top chemical	To surface water (lbs/yr)
COEUR ALASKA INC KENSINGTON GOLD PROJECT Metal Mining · COEUR MINING INC JUNEAU, AK99801	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	553,694
POGO MINE Metal Mining · NORTHERN STAR LLC DELTA JUNCTION, AK99737	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	363,383
RED DOG OPERATIONS Metal Mining · TECK AMERICAN INC KOTZEBUE, AK99752	Ammonia	7,022
TESORO ALASKA - KENAI REFINERY Petroleum · MARATHON PETROLEUM CORP KENAI, AK99611	Ammonia	2,036
HECLA GREENS CREEK MINING CO Metal Mining · HECLA MINING CO JUNEAU, AK99801	Zinc compounds	550

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your Alaska water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.

Grade Distribution

How Alaska cities scored

A: 4 B: 12 C: 10 D: 40 F: 13

Best Cities

Worst Cities

City Map

Water quality across Alaska

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

79 cities in Alaska

Full rankings →

#	City	Grade	Score	Population	Violations
1	Elmendorf Air Force Base	A	94.2	30K	25
2	Talkeetna	A-	89.9	2K	83
3	Trapper Creek	A-	89	500	2
4	Petersburg	A-	86.3	3K	48
5	Fort Richardson	B+	81.6	20K	226
6	Togiak	B+	80.9	910	251
7	Skagway	B	77.8	11K	256
8	Nome	B	76.3	4K	172
9	Whittier	B	75.4	650	74
10	Cordova	B	75.3	3K	268
11	Sitka	B	75	9K	65
12	Fort Wainwright	B-	74.8	20K	354
13	Eielson	B-	73.9	10K	236
14	North Pole	B-	73.4	4K	151
15	Anchor Point	B-	72.1	1K	164
16	Pt. Hope	B-	71.4	881	244
17	Toksook Bay	C+	69.8	661	318
18	Barrow	C+	69.1	6K	102
19	Craig	C+	67.7	1K	117
20	Juneau	C+	65.4	39K	289
21	Yakutat	C	64.2	740	278
22	Unalaska	C	64	9K	300
23	Wrangell	C	63.4	2K	110
24	Nikiski	C-	59.6	620	484
25	Savoonga	C-	59.4	802	263
26	King Cove	C-	56.1	972	288
27	Kodiak	D+	54.2	13K	320
28	Wainwright	D+	52.9	600	262
29	Chevak	D+	52.7	938	249
30	Mountain Village	D+	52	850	1209
31	Hoonah	D+	51.6	980	163
32	Kwethluk	D+	51	760	968
33	Kipnuk	D+	51	639	1029
34	Scammon Bay	D+	51	637	1092
35	Stebbins	D+	51	590	490
36	Shishmaref	D+	51	572	919
37	Chugiak	D+	50	836	2375
38	Pilot Station	D+	50	580	332
39	New Stuyahok	D+	50	566	391
40	Chefornak	D+	50	513	317
41	Homer	D	49.5	7K	569
42	Haines	D	49	2K	264
43	Sand Point	D	49	830	284
44	Salcha	D	49	508	62
45	Valdez	D	48.8	6K	395
46	Girdwood	D	48.5	3K	609
47	Copper Center	D	48	646	1239
48	Selawik	D	47	846	900
49	Emmonak	D	47	820	1235
50	Quinhagak	D	47	724	527
51	Kotlik	D	47	617	853
52	Buckland	D	47	600	673
53	Alakanuk	D	47	570	1608
54	Gambell	D	46.5	669	559
55	Bethel	D	46	5K	1216
56	Dillingham	D	46	3K	1359
57	Metlakatla	D	46	2K	261
58	Hooper Bay	D	46	1K	452
59	Galena	D	46	780	421
60	Noorvik	D	46	735	403
61	Akiachak	D	46	627	284
62	Eagle River	D	45.5	2K	1457
63	Seward	D	45	4K	781
64	Klawock	D	45	904	478
65	Saint Mary'S	D	45	548	266
66	Kongiganak	D	45	547	1406
67	Fort Yukon	F	44.5	665	467
68	Kenai	F	44.3	6K	881
69	Ketchikan	F	44	10K	1310
70	Kasigluk	F	44	516	215
71	Manokotak	F	44	508	2021
72	Kotzebue	F	43	3K	259
73	Soldotna	F	42.8	5K	1163
74	Wasilla	F	42.5	29K	4162
75	Palmer	F	41	13K	1759
76	Anchorage	F	38.5	234K	6998
77	Fairbanks	F	38.4	119K	1885
78	Unalakleet	F	38	757	620
79	Delta Junction	F	32	2K	606

Counties

Browse Alaska counties

Aleutians East Borough 2 cities · avg 52.5 Aleutians West Census Area 1 city · avg 64 Anchorage Municipality 6 cities · avg 59.7 Bethel Census Area 9 cities · avg 50 Dillingham Census Area 4 cities · avg 55.2 Fairbanks North Star Borough 5 cities · avg 61.9 Haines Borough 1 city · avg 49 Juneau City And Borough 1 city · avg 65.4 Kenai Peninsula Borough 6 cities · avg 52.2 Ketchikan Gateway Borough 1 city · avg 44 Kodiak Island Borough 1 city · avg 54.2 Matanuska-Susitna Borough 4 cities · avg 65.6 Nome Census Area 6 cities · avg 53.7 North Slope Borough 3 cities · avg 64.5 Northwest Arctic Borough 4 cities · avg 45.8 Sitka City And Borough 1 city · avg 75 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area 1 city · avg 32 Valdez-Cordova Census Area 4 cities · avg 61.9 Wade Hampton Census Area 9 cities · avg 48.6 Yakutat City And Borough 1 city · avg 64.2 Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area 2 cities · avg 45.3

ZIP Codes

Browse Alaska by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all Alaska ZIP codes →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Alaska's water

Is Alaska's tap water safe to drink?

Alaska's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is C- (55.4/100). 20% of cities scored an A or B, while 67% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which Alaska cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Elmendorf Air Force Base (A), Talkeetna (A-), Trapper Creek (A-). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which Alaska cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Delta Junction (F), Unalakleet (F), Fairbanks (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many Alaska cities have PFAS in their water?

8 out of 79 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (10%). 3 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Do any Alaska cities have dangerous lead levels?

1 city exceeds the EPA lead action level of 15 ppb. Lead contamination typically comes from aging pipes and lead service lines rather than the water source itself. An NSF 53-certified filter can effectively remove lead from tap water.

Alaska Water Quality Report