Anchorage

Anchorage, AK receives a water quality score of 1/100 (Grade F) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 7 public water systems serving the area.

Anchorage's water quality score is below the national average, indicating a history of EPA violations or elevated contaminant levels. Residents are encouraged to check their specific water system report and consider additional filtration.

Anchorage's score of 1 is 9 points below the Alaska state average of 10, and below the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

Operating as a mid-size city in Alaska's remote and rural environment, Anchorage faces severe environmental pressures due to an extreme climate and limited centralized infrastructure. Across the seven water systems distributing water throughout the community, overall quality measures receive failing marks, reflecting the immense difficulty of maintaining standards under these conditions. For prospective homebuyers or current residents, these poor conditions mean that domestic water safety must be a key factor when assessing any property in the area.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Alaska water quality rankings report →