Girdwood Water System
EPA ID: AK2212021 · 2,942 people served · 28 ZIP codes
Dating back across the full five-year EPA tracking window, Girdwood Water System encountered 2 violations, each subsequently remedied and closed — today the utility meets all federal drinking water requirements for the 2,942 residents in its service area and holds no open enforcement actions.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 26 (2021) to 25 (2022). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Girdwood Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Girdwood Water System serves a community with a median household income of $106,442 and an estimated 243,380 residents across its service area. Approximately 60% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Girdwood Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 1% of homes in Anchorage Municipality, Alaska rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 65th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Girdwood Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 18 detections recorded. 18 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Alaska
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Girdwood Water System (EPA ID: AK2212021) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 2,942 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 28 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99587 | 0.00282 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 99501 — Anchorage
- 99502 — Anchorage
- 99503 — Anchorage
- 99504 — Anchorage
- 99507 — Anchorage
- 99508 — Anchorage
- 99509 — Anchorage
- 99510 — Anchorage
- 99511 — Anchorage
- 99513 — Anchorage
- 99514 — Anchorage
- 99515 — Anchorage
- 99516 — Anchorage
- 99517 — Anchorage
- 99518 — Anchorage
- 99519 — Anchorage
- 99520 — Anchorage
- 99521 — Anchorage
- 99522 — Anchorage
- 99523 — Anchorage
- 99524 — Anchorage
- 99529 — Anchorage
- 99530 — Anchorage
- 99587 — Girdwood
- 99599 — Anchorage
- 99605 — Hope
- 99631 — Moose Pass
- 99695 — Anchorage
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Girdwood Water System (AK2212021) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Girdwood Water System water safe to drink?
Girdwood Water System has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Girdwood Water System serve?
Girdwood Water System serves approximately 2,942 people across 28 ZIP codes in Alaska.
Where does Girdwood Water System get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Girdwood Water System (EPA ID: AK2212021) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.