Is Juneau, AK Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Juneau tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 16 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Juneau Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Juneau Compares
Juneau's water is 88% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 96% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Alaska, it ranks #6 of 8 cities (20% below the state average of 20 PPM). Among smaller cities, Juneau ranks #271 of 288 for hardness.
What Juneau's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 16 PPM - Low Concern
Juneau's water is soft at just 16 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. Juneau is softer than 96% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment in Juneau, contaminant filtration is the place to invest.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Juneau's water has TTHMs at 3.29 ppb and HAA5 at 1.93 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0592 ppb, which is 3x 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) | 16 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 46 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 0.6 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.186 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Good news for Juneau residents. Your water quality is generally good. Most homes in this area do not need a water softener. If you have concerns about lead (especially in buildings constructed before 1986) or chlorine taste, a point-of-use filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
How to Test Your Water in Juneau
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request CBJ Public Works's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Juneau's Water Supply
Water Utility: CBJ Public Works
Water Source: Salmon Creek Reservoir (Surface Water)
Population Served: 38,526
Hardness: 16 PPM (0.9 grains per gallon)
Juneau's drinking water comes from surface sources — Salmon Creek Reservoir. 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 39,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request CBJ Public Works'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 CBJ Public Works in Juneau, AK, including ZIP codes:
99689, 99801, 99802, 99803, 99811, 99812, 99821, 99824, 99825, 99826, 99827, 99829, 99832, 99840, 99841, 99850
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Juneau to Other Alaska Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Juneau Water
Is Juneau tap water safe to drink?
Where does Juneau's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Juneau?
What are disinfection byproducts in Juneau's water?
Is chromium-6 in Juneau's water?
Can I drink Juneau tap water straight from the faucet?
What water filter is best for Juneau?
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.