State Well Water Guide
Alaska Private Well Water Guide
About 45% of Alaskans rely on private wells or other small water systems — one of the highest rates in the nation — given the state's vast rural communities without municipal infrastructure. Alaska's remote geography creates unique groundwater challenges: naturally occurring arsenic from volcanic and hydrothermal geology (particularly in the Ring of Fire corridor), naturally elevated iron and manganese from glacial and alluvial deposits, PFAS from military installations (multiple Air Force bases), and emerging concerns about permafrost thaw affecting shallow water systems. DEC regulates well construction and provides testing guidance.
Testing Guidance
Alaska DEC recommends annual testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates. All Alaskans should test for arsenic given the state's volcanic geology. Interior Alaska well owners should test for iron and manganese from alluvial deposits. Military-adjacent well owners should test for PFAS. Remote communities reliant on shallow wells should test more frequently due to limited barrier protection against surface contamination.
What to Test For in Alaska
Total coliform bacteria and E. coli — annual minimum
Arsenic — volcanic and hydrothermal geology throughout much of Alaska
Iron and manganese — glacial and alluvial deposits statewide; very common
PFAS — near Eielson AFB, Elmendorf-Richardson, Kodiak, Adak, and other Alaska military installations
Nitrates — agricultural Matanuska-Susitna Valley and areas with septic density near Anchorage
Radon — Alaskan granitic and metamorphic geology
Uranium — Interior and Southeast Alaska granite areas
Total dissolved solids — high-mineral water common from glacial and volcanic sources
Common Contamination Risks in Alaska
Arsenic from volcanic geology — Alaska's position on the Pacific Ring of Fire means extensive volcanic and hydrothermal activity has deposited arsenic-bearing minerals throughout much of the state's geology
Iron and manganese from glacial deposits — extremely common throughout Alaska's glacially deposited aquifer systems
PFAS from military installations — Eielson AFB, Elmendorf-Richardson, and numerous other Alaska military facilities have significant AFFF histories
Permafrost thaw and shallow water system vulnerability — as permafrost thaws, shallow wells in rural communities can lose seasonal protection and become more vulnerable to surface contamination
Bacterial contamination in remote communities — limited well construction standards enforcement in remote communities and shallow dug wells create high bacterial contamination risk
Contaminant Guides Relevant to AK Wells
PFAS
Synthetic Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 ppt
Lead
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 15 ppb (action level)
Nitrates
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 10 mg/L
DBPs
Disinfection Byproducts
EPA limit: 80 µg/L (TTHMs) / 60 µg/L (HAA5)
Arsenic
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 10 ppb
Hard Water
Minerals
EPA limit: No federal limit
Chlorine
Disinfection Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL)
Microplastics
Emerging Contaminants
EPA limit: No federal limit
Bacteria
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero E. coli / < 1 coliform per 100 mL
Fluoride
Minerals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MCL) / 2 mg/L (Secondary MCL)
Chromium-6
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 100 ppb (total chromium)
Copper
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 1.3 mg/L (action level)
Radon
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: No finalized MCL
Iron & Manganese
Minerals
EPA limit: 0.3 mg/L iron / 0.05 mg/L manganese (aesthetic SMCLs)
Atrazine
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 3 ppb (0.003 mg/L)
Uranium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 30 µg/L (30 ppb)
Perchlorate
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: 0.056 mg/L (56 ppb)
VOCs
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: Varies by compound: benzene 5 ppb; TCE 5 ppb; PCE 5 ppb; vinyl chloride 2 ppb
Radium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228)
Crypto & Giardia
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero (treatment technique standard)
Hydrogen Sulfide
Naturally Occurring Compounds
EPA limit: No MCL; Secondary MCL (aesthetic) of 0.05 mg/L
Selenium
Minerals
EPA limit: 50 ppb (0.05 mg/L)
Cadmium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 5 ppb (0.005 mg/L)
Mercury
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 ppb (0.002 mg/L)
Barium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Find a Certified Lab in Alaska
Use the Alaska state-certified laboratory program to find accredited labs for private well testing. Always verify current certification before submitting samples.
AK Certified Lab Directory ↗Alaska Well Water FAQs
Related Pages
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Quick Reference
State program
AK Certified Labs ↗EPA guidance
EPA Private Wells Program ↗State lab directory
AK Certified Labs ↗Minimum Annual Tests
Plus state-specific contaminants listed above
Other State Guides