Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Anchorage?
Yes, tap water in Anchorage is safe to drink and is exceptionally pure. Most of it is glacial-fed water from Eklutna Lake in the Chugach Mountains, naturally cold, soft and low in contaminants.
Water Source
The Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility (AWWU) supplies roughly 80–90% of the city from Eklutna Lake, a glacial-fed mountain reservoir in the Chugach Range, supplemented by Ship Creek and groundwater wells.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The pristine, largely undeveloped Eklutna watershed keeps source water quality among the best of any U.S. city.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •No significant source-water concerns; the glacial watershed is protected and essentially undeveloped
- •Naturally very soft, low-mineral water required corrosion-control adjustments to protect plumbing
- •Fine glacial rock flour is removed in treatment and is an aesthetic, not health, matter
Water Quality Data
Key contaminants detected vs. regulatory limits. All values from the most recent published report — Source: AWWU 2024 Water Quality Report.
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (total) | 0.9 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Fluoride | 0.71 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 1.4 µg/L | 15.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Nitrate (as N) | 0.31 mg/L | 10.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) | 14.2 µg/L | 80.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids) | 9.6 µg/L | 60.0 µg/L | ✓ |
✓ = below limit ⚠ = above health goal ✗ = exceeds guideline
How It Compares
Anchorage's glacial lake source puts it in the same league as protected-watershed standouts like Boston and Portland, with the added novelty that the same lake also generates hydroelectric power for the region.
Tips
- •Drink it straight — Anchorage tap water needs no filtering
- •Well-served outskirts and Mat-Su properties are on private wells with separate testing responsibilities
- •AWWU publishes annual quality reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality