Is Alaska Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 8 cities across Alaska. Find your city below.
Water quality in Alaska varies significantly from city to city. Across 8 cities we track, hardness ranges from 8 PPM in Sitka to 35 PPM in Anchorage, with a statewide average of 20 PPM. Most cities in Alaska have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
3 Alaska cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Anchorage (15.13 ppt), Fairbanks (19.3 ppt), Anchorage South (15.13 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete Alaska Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in Alaska
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
Alaska cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Comparisons
Anchorage vs Sitka
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Anchorage vs Wasilla
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Wasilla vs Palmer
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Alaska Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 35 | Slightly Hard | 15.13 | Eklutna Lake + Ship Creek |
| Wasilla | 25 | Slightly Hard | 3.65 | Lucile Creek & wells |
| Palmer | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Matanuska River wells |
| Kenai | 20 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Local wells |
| Fairbanks | 17 | Slightly Hard | 19.3 | Chena River wells |
| Juneau | 16 | Soft | 0 | Salmon Creek Reservoir |
| Anchorage South | 15 | Soft | 15.13 | Eklutna Lake + Ship Creek |
| Sitka | 8 | Soft | 0 | Blue Lake & Indian River |