LeadPipeLookup

State overview

Lead service lines in Alaska

Aggregated lead pipe inventory data for all 1,330 public water systems in Alaska, serving approximately 868,828 residents.

Last verified from EPA SDWIS: 2026-04-14
Water systems
1,330
Population served
868,828
Known lead lines
0
Unknown material
0

Lead Service Lines in Alaska

What you need to know

Alaska's 1,330 water systems serve roughly 869,000 people across the state. Lead service lines—the pipes that connect your home to the water main—are a potential source of drinking water contamination, though the risk varies widely by location and home age.

The good news: Alaska reports zero known lead service lines in its inventory data. This is unusual compared to other states, and likely reflects either a genuinely lower prevalence (due to Alaska's younger building stock and colder climates that discouraged lead pipe installation) or incomplete data collection.

However, "zero known" does not mean "zero actual." Many water systems across Alaska have not yet completed full inventories of their service lines. Until your utility finishes that work, you won't know for certain whether your home has a lead line.

Why this matters

Lead can leach into drinking water, especially from older pipes or when water is corrosive. Children and pregnant people are at highest risk for health effects. The EPA has no "safe" threshold for lead in drinking water and recommends action even at low levels.

If your home was built before 1988 or you live in an older neighborhood, the risk is higher—though lead lines exist in newer homes too.

What Alaska utilities are doing

The largest systems—like the Municipality of Anchorage (serving 221,351 people), Golden Heart Utilities (78,324), and Juneau (38,526)—are responsible for inventorying their service lines. Some may have already done this work; others are still in progress. Check with your local utility for their timeline and findings.

Next steps for residents

  • Contact your water utility directly. Ask: Do you have a lead service line inventory? Has my address been surveyed? What's your timeline?
  • Request a water test if you're concerned. Your utility can tell you where to test and how much it costs (often free or low-cost).
  • Use a water filter certified to remove lead (NSF 53) as a short-term measure while you wait for inventory results.
  • Check the EPA's lead portal and your utility's website for the most recent inventory updates and water quality reports.

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Largest public water systems in Alaska

UtilityPWSIDPopulationKnown leadUnknown
METLAKATLA100211202———
MOA MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGEAK2210906221,351——
GOLDEN HEART UTILITIESAK231073078,324——
CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAUAK211034238,526——
JBER-ELMENDORFAK221142330,003——
COLLEGE UTILITIES CORPORATIONAK231090027,000——
DOYON UTILITIES JBER - RICHARDSONAK221203920,284——
FT WAINWRIGHT - MAIN POSTAK231091820,076——
WASILLA WATER SYSTEMAK222464618,492——
EIELSON - AIR FORCE BASEAK237062511,870——
SKAGWAYAK211060110,947——
KODIAK WATER SYSTEMAK22500119,547——
SITKAAK21300759,448——
UNALASKA WATER SYSTEMAK22603099,400——
KETCHIKAN PUBLIC UTILITIESAK21202328,937——
PALMER WATER SYSTEMAK22260208,111——
HOMER WATER SYSTEMAK22404567,008——
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA - FAIRBANKSAK23106836,200——
KENAI WATER SYSTEMAK22404485,700——
BARROW UTILITIES & ELEC. COOP., INC. (BUAK23200784,900——
SOLDOTNAAK22410544,807——
DENALI - MAIN / FRONT COUNTRYAK23905944,741——
VALDEZ WATER SYSTEM - MAINAK22981034,500——
NORTH POLE UTILITIESAK23106754,005——
NOME JOINT UTILITY SYSTEMAK23400103,920——

Cities in Alaska

More on lead pipes in Alaska

Frequently asked about lead pipes in Alaska

Does Alaska have lead in the water?

Alaska reports zero known lead service lines in state inventory data, but many utilities haven't completed full surveys yet. Lead in water depends on your home's pipes and your water system's corrosion control practices. Contact your local utility to check your specific address.

How do I know if my house has a lead service line in Alaska?

Ask your water utility—they're required to inventory service lines and should have records for your address. If they haven't surveyed your area yet, ask when they will. In the meantime, a plumber can inspect the pipe visible at your meter or foundation.

Is lead in Anchorage water safe to drink?

Anchorage's water system serves over 221,000 people and reports zero known lead service lines. However, the only way to know if your home's water is safe is to test it. Contact the Municipality of Anchorage for information about free or low-cost testing.

What should I do if my child drinks lead water?

Contact your pediatrician or the CDC immediately. Do not attempt to self-diagnose. In the meantime, stop using tap water for drinking and cooking, and run cold water for 30 seconds before use to flush the pipes.