Worst Infrastructure: Alaska — 2026 Rankings

Out of 272 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Alaska, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	272
Highest risk	74%
Median risk	49%
Average risk	49%
State	Alaska

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	99677	Tatitlek	AK	74%	Very High	22/100
2	99950	Ketchikan	AK	73%	Very High	67/100
3	99643	Old Harbor	AK	72%	Very High	43/100
4	99901	Ketchikan	AK	72%	Very High	65/100
5	99752	Kotzebue	AK	70%	Very High	59/100
6	99684	Unalakleet	AK	69%	Very High	36/100
7	99736	Deering	AK	69%	Very High	66/100
8	99820	Angoon	AK	69%	Very High	69/100
9	99727	Buckland	AK	68%	Very High	66/100
10	99569	Clarks Point	AK	67%	Very High	80/100
11	99750	Kivalina	AK	67%	Very High	66/100
12	99546	Adak	AK	66%	Very High	62/100
13	99741	Galena	AK	66%	Very High	67/100
14	99830	Kake	AK	66%	Very High	39/100
15	99590	Grayling	AK	65%	Very High	99/100
16	99922	Hydaburg	AK	65%	Very High	77/100
17	99682	Tyonek	AK	63%	Very High	78/100
18	99777	Tanana	AK	63%	Very High	72/100
19	99836	Port Alexander	AK	63%	Very High	83/100
20	99550	Port Lions	AK	62%	Very High	83/100
21	99748	Kaltag	AK	62%	Very High	92/100
22	99788	Chalkyitsik	AK	62%	Very High	64/100
23	99501	Anchorage	AK	61%	Very High	70/100
24	99565	Chignik Lagoon	AK	61%	Very High	81/100
25	99661	Sand Point	AK	61%	Very High	92/100
26	99666	Nunam Iqua	AK	61%	Very High	55/100
27	99770	Selawik	AK	61%	Very High	70/100
28	99775	Fairbanks	AK	61%	Very High	77/100
29	99783	Wales	AK	61%	Very High	75/100
30	99503	Anchorage	AK	60%	High	70/100
31	99508	Anchorage	AK	60%	High	65/100
32	99635	Nikiski	AK	60%	High	82/100
33	99670	South Naknek	AK	60%	High	98/100
34	99742	Gambell	AK	60%	High	93/100
35	99827	Haines	AK	60%	High	94/100
36	99517	Anchorage	AK	59%	High	70/100
37	99690	Nightmute	AK	59%	High	73/100
38	99771	Shaktoolik	AK	59%	High	88/100
39	99929	Wrangell	AK	59%	High	84/100
40	99621	Kwethluk	AK	58%	High	70/100
41	99693	Whittier	AK	58%	High	88/100
42	99764	Northway	AK	58%	High	65/100
43	99766	Point Hope	AK	58%	High	50/100
44	99782	Wainwright	AK	58%	High	97/100
45	99925	Klawock	AK	58%	High	55/100
46	99620	Kotlik	AK	57%	High	62/100
47	99644	Ouzinkie	AK	57%	High	97/100
48	99655	Quinhagak	AK	57%	High	85/100
49	99669	Soldotna	AK	57%	High	53/100
50	99705	North Pole	AK	57%	High	73/100
51	99738	Eagle	AK	57%	High	71/100
52	99751	Kobuk	AK	57%	High	74/100
53	99754	Koyukuk	AK	57%	High	79/100
54	99767	Rampart	AK	57%	High	94/100
55	99548	Chignik Lake	AK	56%	High	81/100
56	99640	Nondalton	AK	56%	High	87/100
57	99659	Saint Michael	AK	56%	High	97/100
58	99675	Takotna	AK	56%	High	81/100
59	99701	Fairbanks	AK	56%	High	68/100
60	99745	Hughes	AK	56%	High	92/100
61	99753	Koyuk	AK	56%	High	93/100
62	99763	Noorvik	AK	56%	High	94/100
63	99772	Shishmaref	AK	56%	High	88/100
64	99778	Teller	AK	56%	High	80/100
65	99502	Anchorage	AK	55%	High	70/100
66	99504	Anchorage	AK	55%	High	65/100
67	99518	Anchorage	AK	55%	High	70/100
68	99723	Barrow	AK	55%	High	87/100
69	99757	Lake Minchumina	AK	55%	High	50/100
70	99801	Juneau	AK	55%	High	76/100
71	99835	Sitka	AK	55%	High	64/100
72	99574	Cordova	AK	54%	High	82/100
73	99576	Dillingham	AK	54%	High	98/100
74	99581	Emmonak	AK	54%	High	67/100
75	99587	Girdwood	AK	54%	High	94/100
76	99609	Kasigluk	AK	54%	High	95/100
77	99638	Nikolski	AK	54%	High	88/100
78	99664	Seward	AK	54%	High	66/100
79	99769	Savoonga	AK	54%	High	91/100
80	99781	Venetie	AK	54%	High	97/100
81	99789	Nuiqsut	AK	54%	High	97/100
82	99833	Petersburg	AK	54%	High	86/100
83	99516	Anchorage	AK	53%	High	70/100
84	99604	Hooper Bay	AK	53%	High	84/100
85	99637	Toksook Bay	AK	53%	High	93/100
86	99662	Scammon Bay	AK	53%	High	68/100
87	99721	Anaktuvuk Pass	AK	53%	High	99/100
88	99749	Kiana	AK	53%	High	98/100
89	99765	Nulato	AK	53%	High	98/100
90	99773	Shungnak	AK	53%	High	95/100
91	99784	White Mountain	AK	53%	High	98/100
92	99558	Anvik	AK	52%	High	94/100
93	99567	Chugiak	AK	52%	High	94/100
94	99611	Kenai	AK	52%	High	79/100
95	99668	Sleetmute	AK	52%	High	79/100
96	99695	Anchorage	AK	52%	High	66/100
97	99739	Elim	AK	52%	High	88/100
98	99747	Kaktovik	AK	52%	High	99/100
99	99760	Nenana	AK	52%	High	86/100
100	99832	Pelican	AK	52%	High	70/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.