Galena, AK: 10 Health Violations — 67/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Galena produce average compliance results for AK overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Galena Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Galena Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 45 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 49% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.56 — above typical levels.
Galena's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Galena, AK are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Galena, Alaska, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 565 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 10 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Galena: 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
Galena water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 24 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 22 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 18 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99741 | C | 45 | 10 | Galena Wtp1 - City |
All ZIP Codes in Galena
- 99741 [C] — 45 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.
Galena Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Galena's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Galena Infrastructure Age
With 49% 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
Some cities skew heavily toward one construction era; Galena does not. The median build year of 1983 reflects a housing stock where older and newer homes share the market in meaningful proportions. That mixed profile means the city carries moderate aggregate plumbing-era risk — with older homes, particularly those built before 1986, representing the portion of the stock where lead-soldered joints may still be present.
Most homes in Galena were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Galena
Cost-to-value data for Galena produces a high remediation-share classification — the equity impact here is elevated, placing this market in the tier where financial preparation is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach documented issues.
At 3.2% of home value, remediation costs in Galena represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,100–$5,500. Home values here are 51% below the Alaska average.
Galena: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
49% of Galena housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Galena: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Galena accumulating 56 claims and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Galena has a moderate flood history with 56 FEMA claims averaging $58,857 per payout. 100% 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>$3,100</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 Galena
- 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 Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Galena's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 49% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Galena, AK