Wainwright, AK: 5 Violations — 97/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Wainwright, safety indicators for tap water remain above the AK median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Wainwright Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Wainwright Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 71% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 13.33 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Wainwright
Wainwright, AK draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Wainwright, Alaska, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 612 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Wainwright: A (97/100)
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
Wainwright water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0007 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99782 | A | 5 | 0 | Nsbu - Wainwright |
All ZIP Codes in Wainwright
- 99782 [A] — 5 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 Wainwright
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 Wainwright Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Wainwright
With 71% 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
Reading the housing age data for Wainwright — median build year 1972 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Wainwright 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.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Wainwright
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 71% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Wainwright.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wainwright, AK