Anchorage, AK: 500 Health Violations — 67/100 (2026)
25 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Anchorage's water quality grade in AK reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Anchorage Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Anchorage, AK
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Anchorage score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Anchorage Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 7300 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0016 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,464 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.53.
Who Supplies Your Water in Anchorage
Federal drinking water records identify 7 systems in Anchorage, AK. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 25 ZIP codes in Anchorage, Alaska, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 241,374 people.
25 of 25 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 500 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Anchorage: C (67/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Anchorage water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0016 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 25 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1924 | 25 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 1170 | 25 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 1118 | 25 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 884 | 25 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 754 | 25 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99501 | B | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99502 | B | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99503 | B | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99504 | C | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99507 | C | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99508 | C | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99509 | C | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99510 | B | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99511 | C | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
| 99513 | C | 292 | 20 | Moa Municipality of Anchorage |
All ZIP Codes in Anchorage
- 99501 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99502 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99503 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99504 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99507 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99508 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99509 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99510 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99511 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99513 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99514 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99515 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99516 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99517 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99518 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99519 [B] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99520 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99521 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99522 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99523 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99524 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99529 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99530 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99599 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
- 99695 [C] — 292 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Anchorage
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Anchorage Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Anchorage Homeowners
Within the Anchorage market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Anchorage are relatively low compared to home values. The $876–$2,736 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 88% above the Alaska average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Anchorage
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Anchorage appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Anchorage
Flood exposure in Anchorage is meaningful by NFIP measures — 68 claims on record and 48% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Anchorage has a moderate flood history with 68 FEMA claims averaging $5,590 per payout. 48% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,464</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Anchorage
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for E. coli can reduce the most common contaminant found in Anchorage's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Anchorage, AK