Alaska
Alaska sits in the Pacific and draws its water primarily from glacial melt, rivers, and groundwater. With roughly 0.73 million residents, the state has minimal formal water reuse to date, reusing an estimated 2% of its treated wastewater.
Alaskawater quality & safety
Top violation drivers in Alaska
| Contaminant / rule | Systems |
|---|---|
| Groundwater Rule | 131 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | 65 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | 57 |
| TTHM | 32 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 32 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | 32 |
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1 · health-based violations since 2016
Water is plentiful; the challenge is delivering safe water to remote and rural communities.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, Alaska currently tracks around no drought conditions. Alaska has 405 community water systems serving about 1 million people; EPA records show 242 of them (59.8%) with a health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016. The pages below break down the water issues that matter most here and the communities working on solutions.
Drought history — severe+ extent
% of Alaska in severe drought or worse (D2+) each late summer.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC/UNL, USDA, NOAA) · latest 2026-06-09
Water use (USGS 2015)
- Per-capita (public supply)
- 180 gpcd
- Total withdrawals
- 0.8 Bgal/d
- From groundwater
- 35.6%
- Irrigation share
- 0.2%
- Wastewater reused (est.)
- ~2%
Primary water sources
- ≈ glacial melt
- ≈ rivers
- ≈ groundwater
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Alaska?
Alaska has 405 community water systems serving about 1 million people. EPA records show 242 of them (59.8%) with at least one health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016, and 2 system(s) over the federal lead action level. Most large systems meet standards; check your specific city and your utility's annual report.
What contaminants are most common in Alaska's water?
The most frequent health-based violations involve Groundwater Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule, LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
How much water does Alaska use per person?
Public water systems in Alaska withdraw about 180 gallons per person per day (USGS 2015), drawing 35.6% of fresh water from groundwater.
How bad is the drought in Alaska?
As of 2026-06-09, 0% of Alaska is in drought (D1+) and 0% is in severe drought or worse, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Cities in Alaska
6 trackedAnchorage
Anchorage, AK water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Juneau
Juneau, AK water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Eagle River
Eagle River, AK water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Badger
Badger, AK water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Knik-Fairview
Knik-Fairview, AK water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.