PFAS in Drinking Water in Alaska
What residents of Alaska need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska has some of the most serious PFAS contamination of any state relative to its population, driven by extensive military installations using AFFF. Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage have both contaminated surrounding groundwater and drinking water supplies with PFAS at levels well above the new EPA MCL.
Where does PFAS come from in Alaska?
Military installations are the dominant PFAS source in Alaska. AFFF foam used at Eielson AFB and Elmendorf-Richardson has infiltrated local groundwater. Communities near these bases — including North Pole, Fairbanks suburbs, and parts of the Anchorage area — have documented PFAS in public water and private wells.
What should Alaska residents know?
Private well owners near Alaskan military bases face the greatest risk because their water is unregulated and untested unless they act. The remote nature of many Alaska communities also limits access to alternative water sources. Alaska DEC has provided bottled water and filtration to some affected communities near military installations.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024, compliance by 2027 |
| MCLG | Zero — no safe level established |
| Primary contamination source | AFFF at Eielson AFB (Fairbanks area) and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (Anchorage area) |
| State regulator | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) |
| State response | Alaska DEC provided bottled water and installed filtration for affected North Pole area residents |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or granular activated carbon certified for PFAS |
Why PFAS Matters in Alaska
Alaska's PFAS problem is among the most severe in the nation. Eielson AFB near Fairbanks contaminated groundwater used by the city of North Pole and nearby communities, leading to state-funded filtration systems and well testing programs. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage has also documented PFAS migration into off-base water supplies. The combination of large military footprint, remote communities with limited alternative water sources, and cold-climate aquifer dynamics makes Alaska uniquely vulnerable. Alaska DEC has been proactive in testing and remediation compared to many states.
Alaska PFAS Regulation
Alaska DEC has been proactive on PFAS relative to its population, providing bottled water and filtration to affected communities near Eielson AFB and Elmendorf-Richardson. The state conducted voluntary PFAS testing of private wells in the North Pole area (Fairbanks suburb) near Eielson, finding exceedances well above the new federal MCL. Alaska participates in EPA UCMR5 monitoring for large systems.
Largest Alaska Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Alaska utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Residents of North Pole, Fairbanks North Star Borough communities adjacent to Eielson AFB, and Anchorage-area neighborhoods near Elmendorf-Richardson face elevated exposure risk. Alaska Native communities near military installations may have limited access to alternative water and should prioritize testing.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Alaska
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Alaska utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Alaska utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Alaska PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Alaska State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ↗