Fairbanks, AK: 20 Health Violations — 76/100 (2026)
10 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Fairbanks records above-average water quality outcomes for AK; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Fairbanks Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Fairbanks, AK
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Fairbanks score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Fairbanks Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 130 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0024 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 55% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.16.
Who Supplies Your Water in Fairbanks
Water delivery in Fairbanks, AK is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 5 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 10 ZIP codes in Fairbanks, Alaska (population ~60,117), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 151,884 people region-wide.
10 of 10 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 20 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fairbanks: B (76/100)
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
Fairbanks water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0024 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 10 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 55 | 10 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 33 | 10 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 22 | 10 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 11 | 10 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 11 | 10 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99701 | C | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
| 99706 | B | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
| 99707 | B | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
| 99708 | B | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
| 99709 | C | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
| 99710 | B | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
| 99711 | B | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
| 99712 | B | 13 | 2 | College Utilities Corporation |
| 99775 | B | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
| 99790 | B | 13 | 2 | Golden Heart Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in Fairbanks
- 99701 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99706 [B] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99707 [B] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99708 [B] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99709 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99710 [B] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99711 [B] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99712 [B] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99775 [B] — 13 violations ⚠
- 99790 [B] — 13 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 Fairbanks
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 Fairbanks Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Fairbanks
With 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Fairbanks's housing stock carries a median build year of 1985. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Fairbanks were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Fairbanks Homeowners
Equity impact data for Fairbanks lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Fairbanks are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,150–$2,690 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 50% above the Alaska average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Fairbanks
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.
When older housing represents 55% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Fairbanks address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Fairbanks
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Fairbanks falls in moderate-exposure territory — 130 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 60% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Fairbanks has a moderate flood history with 130 FEMA claims averaging $15,739 per payout. 60% 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>$1,800</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fairbanks, AK