Tap Water Results

Is Fairbanks, AK tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Golden Heart Utilities. 4 PFAS were detected below the limits.

18 public water systems serve parts of Fairbanks. The largest, Golden Heart Utilities, serves 78,324 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Golden Heart Utilities

78,324 people · Groundwater · EPA ID AK2310730

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
One sample above limit
2.7 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
6.9 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 2.4 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Golden Heart Utilities results

Across Alaska, 2 of 28 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 3 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Alaska results.

Fairbanks homes and lead pipes

51%
of homes built before 1980 (Alaska 37%, US 50%)
6%
built before 1950 (Alaska 3%)
60%
of households rent (Alaska 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Fairbanks city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Fairbanks

  • College Utilities Corporation
    27,000 people · Purchased groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    PFOA detectedAlso: PFHxS detected
  • Ft Wainwright – Main Post Water System
    20,076 people · Groundwater · Alaska · reported ZIPs here
    PFHxS detected
  • University of Alaska – Fairbanks Water System
    6,200 people · Purchased groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) violationsAlso: PFHxS detected
  • H2o 2u, Dba the Fill Water System
    2,400 people · Purchased groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Valley Water Company
    1,575 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Lead above action levelAlso: 3 health-based violations since 2016
  • Pioneer Wells at Fox
    880 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
11 more systems
  • Pioneer Wells
    600 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Dot & Pf Fox Watering Point
    350 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Fairbanks Water Company LLC
    325 people · Purchased groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Twin Springs Water
    310 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Wildwood Homes LLC
    114 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 3 health-based violations since 2016
  • Rainbow Valley MHP
    105 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 5 health-based violations since 2016
  • Nelson Park Water System
    80 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • White Birch Apartments Water System
    72 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Coliform bacteria violation
  • Ptarmigan Heights Utilities
    53 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Cozy Northern Homes, LLC
    38 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Coliform bacteria violation
  • Birchview Rental Properties, LLC
    31 people · Groundwater · Alaska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 3 health-based violations since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Anchorage 257 mi
Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility
Anchorage Water & Wastewater UtilityAbove limit0 ppb
Juneau 596 mi
City and Borough of Juneau Water System
City and Borough of Juneau Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Fairbanks ZIP codes (1)
  • 99703

Questions

Is Fairbanks tap water safe to drink?

Golden Heart Utilities has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Fairbanks, AK?

18 public water systems serve parts of Fairbanks. The largest is Golden Heart Utilities (78,324 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Fairbanks tap water have PFAS?

Golden Heart Utilities had 4 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Fairbanks homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 51% of Fairbanks homes as built before 1980 (Alaska: 37%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Golden Heart Utilities's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.