Is Anchorage South, AK Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Anchorage South tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 9.1 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Anchorage South Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Anchorage South Compares
Anchorage South's water is 89% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 98% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Alaska, it ranks #7 of 8 cities (25% below the state average of 20 PPM). Among large cities (200k-500k), Anchorage South ranks #164 of 165 for hardness.
What Anchorage South's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 15 PPM - Low Concern
Anchorage South's water is soft at just 15 PPM. That's good news for your plumbing, appliances, and skin. Scale buildup is a non-issue here, and a water softener would be a waste of money. Anchorage South is softer than 98% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment in Anchorage South, contaminant filtration is the place to invest.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Anchorage South has PFOA at 9.1 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Anchorage South's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 8.48 ppb (11% of the legal limit, but 57x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 4.68 ppb (8% of the legal limit, but 47x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.585 ppb, which is 29x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 15 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 28 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 15.13 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 9.1 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1.6 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.8 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.563 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Anchorage South
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 9.1 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
How to Test Your Water in Anchorage South
With PFAS at 15.13 ppt in Anchorage South's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request AWWU's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Anchorage South's Water Supply
Water Utility: AWWU
Water Source: Eklutna Lake + Ship Creek (Surface Water)
Population Served: 221,351
Hardness: 15 PPM (0.9 grains per gallon)
Anchorage South's drinking water comes from surface sources — Eklutna Lake + Ship Creek. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 221,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request AWWU's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by AWWU in Anchorage South, AK, including ZIP codes:
99540, 99572, 99587, 99605, 99631, 99693
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Anchorage South to Other Alaska Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Anchorage South Water
Is Anchorage South tap water safe to drink?
Where does Anchorage South's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Anchorage South?
How do I remove PFAS from Anchorage South tap water?
What water filter is best for Anchorage South?
Is Anchorage South water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Anchorage South's water?
Is chromium-6 in Anchorage South's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Anchorage South Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 15 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Anchorage South's water data.