Water System Report AK

University of Alaska - Fairbanks

EPA ID: AK2310683 · 6,200 people served · 10 ZIP codes

In every reporting cycle over the past five years, University of Alaska - Fairbanks has come through without a single EPA violation — a consistent performance across the full service population of approximately 6,200 residents that reflects both well-maintained infrastructure and reliable operational oversight.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

6,200
People Served
10
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for University of Alaska - Fairbanks Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$73,551
Median Household Income
60,117
Service Area Population
16%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
55%
Pre-1986 Housing

The University of Alaska - Fairbanks serves a community with a median household income of $73,551 and an estimated 60,117 residents across its service area. Approximately 55% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

University of Alaska - Fairbanks'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 9% of homes in Fairbanks North Star Borough, 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 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

43 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
25 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 63% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 40 detections recorded. 19 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.07 ppt, PFOS: 0.07 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Alaska

Kenai Water System
5,700 people
B 31 violations
Homer Water System
7,008 people
B 11 violations
B 10 violations
Soldotna
4,807 people
D 103 violations
A 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $900
PFAS Treatment $600
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

University of Alaska - Fairbanks (EPA ID: AK2310683) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 6,200 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 10 ZIP codes across 1 community.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for University of Alaska - Fairbanks (AK2310683) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is University of Alaska - Fairbanks water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, University of Alaska - Fairbanks has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does University of Alaska - Fairbanks serve?

University of Alaska - Fairbanks serves approximately 6,200 people across 10 ZIP codes in Alaska.

Where does University of Alaska - Fairbanks get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
58
Detections
3
Latest sample
9/11/2023
Highest analyte
PFHxS: 5.7 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFHxS 5.7 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL
PFHxA 3.1 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
100
Confirmed Non-Lead

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.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Reporting compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 2E.
Compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 4G.
Population served: 6,200
Reported to Alaska

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a water filter?
University of Alaska - Fairbanks meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does University of Alaska - Fairbanks serve?
University of Alaska - Fairbanks serves approximately 6,200 people with drinking water across 10 ZIP codes.
What is University of Alaska - Fairbanks's water source?
University of Alaska - Fairbanks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of University of Alaska - Fairbanks's service area?
The University of Alaska - Fairbanks service area has a median household income of $73,551. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does University of Alaska - Fairbanks get its water?
University of Alaska - Fairbanks'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. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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