Lead Service Line Inventory for University of Alaska – Fairbanks
About This Water System
University of Alaska – Fairbanks serves approximately 6,200 people through a groundwater system. Like all US water utilities, it is required by the EPA to identify and publicly report on lead service lines—the pipes that connect the public water main to individual buildings.
Lead Service Line Inventory Status
University of Alaska – Fairbanks has not yet completed a full inventory of its service lines. As of the last update, 0 service lines had been inventoried and reported. This does not mean the system has no lead service lines; it means the survey work is still in progress or not yet started.
Lead service lines are a real concern because lead can leach into drinking water, especially in homes or buildings with older plumbing. The EPA requires all water systems to complete their inventories by October 2024 (with possible extensions for certain utilities).
What You Should Do Now
If you live or work on the University of Alaska – Fairbanks campus:
1. Contact the water utility directly to ask about your building's service line material. They may have internal records even if the public inventory isn't complete. 2. Assume older buildings might have lead service lines. If your building was constructed before the 1980s, the risk is higher. 3. Test your water. Free or low-cost testing is often available through local health departments. The CDC recommends testing if you're concerned about lead exposure, especially if there are children under 6 or pregnant women in the home. 4. Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Lead leaches more readily from hot water. If water sits in pipes overnight, flush cold water for 30 seconds before use.
Finding More Information
For updates on the system's lead service line inventory, contact:
University of Alaska – Fairbanks Water & Wastewater Services
You can also request your building's service line records directly. The utility should be able to tell you whether your line is lead, galvanized steel, copper, or another material—even if the formal inventory isn't published yet.
Next steps for residents
- Call or email your water utility to ask about your specific building's service line material
- Have your water tested if your building is older or you have young children or pregnant women in the home
- Flush cold water before drinking or cooking if water has sat in pipes overnight
- Contact the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation if you have questions about lead in drinking water
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does University of Alaska – Fairbanks water have lead in it?
Lead is not typically dissolved in water from the treatment plant itself. The risk comes from lead service lines and older plumbing. Since this system's inventory is not yet complete, contact the utility to find out if your building has a lead service line.
How do I know if my building has a lead service line?
Contact University of Alaska – Fairbanks Water & Wastewater Services directly and ask about your building's service line material. They may have records even before the public inventory is complete. Buildings built before 1980 are at higher risk.
Is it safe to drink the water while lead service lines exist?
You can reduce risk by using cold water for drinking and cooking, and flushing cold water for 30 seconds if water has sat in pipes. If you're concerned about lead exposure—especially with young children present—have your water tested.
When will the lead service line inventory be finished?
The EPA required all water systems to complete inventories by October 2024, though some utilities received extensions. Contact the utility for their specific timeline and current progress.