WaterQ
Alaska State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Fairbanks tap water safe to drink?

⚠ Caution Advised
F

Use extra caution — Fairbanks scores 16/100.

Safety Score
16
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Fairbanks?

Read Decision Guide →

Fairbanks

Alaska

View Alaska state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Fairbanks tap water safe to drink?

Use extra caution — Fairbanks scores 16/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Fairbanks. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 02:30 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Fairbanks.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Fairbanks?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Should you buy a water purifier in Fairbanks? See our analysis.

Baby Formula Safety

Is Fairbanks tap water safe for infants? Critical safety guide.

Homebuyer's Perspective

For those looking to relocate to Fairbanks, water quality is a key factor in long-term property maintenance. With a score of 16/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.

Property Impact: Requires Mitigation

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Atrazine levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Fairbanks

0
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
8
Contaminants Tracked
2
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Fairbanks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fairbanks tap water safe to drink?

Use extra caution — Fairbanks scores 16/100.

How many water systems serve Fairbanks?

Fairbanks is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Fairbanks?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Fairbanks.

What is the water quality score for Fairbanks?

The water quality score for Fairbanks is 16 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Fairbanks?

The top contaminants detected in Fairbanks include Atrazine, Nitrite, Uranium. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
16/100
Grade
F
Water Systems
8
Population
157,116

Fairbanks Water Quality Summary

Fairbanks, AK receives a water quality score of 16/100 (Grade F) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 8 public water systems serving the area.

Fairbanks'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.

Fairbanks's score of 16 is 6 points above the Alaska state average of 10, and below the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

For residents and prospective homebuyers in Fairbanks, Alaska, securing safe drinking water is a complex endeavor shaped by the mid-size city's remote location, extreme climate, and limited centralized infrastructure. The local water supply is divided among several distinct systems, which collectively have received a failing evaluation for safety. Operating in an area with limited centralized infrastructure and extreme weather conditions complicates consistent water treatment, making close oversight of household tap water essential for anyone moving to or living in this remote community.

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 →

Key Contaminants

Atrazine Violation
5.8715 / 3 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 3 μg/L
Nitrite Violation
1.8151 / 1 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 1 mg/L
Uranium
29.2116 / 30 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 30 μg/L
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate)
0.0034 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Turbidity
0.558 / 1 NTU
0 NTU MCL: 1 NTU
Benzene
2.1238 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L
Perchlorate
23.3088 / 56 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 56 μg/L
Gross Alpha Particle Activity
5.6939 / 15 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 15 pCi/L

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Water Systems Serving Fairbanks (1)

Related

Compare Fairbanks water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality