Water Quality: Haines, AK
2 water systems • 2,489 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Haines is served by 2 public water systems with a combined service population of 2,489 people, and has 178 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 19 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Haines's violation count is 62% below the national average for Alaska. Contaminants associated with violations include E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Gross Alpha, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Water Systems Serving Haines
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAINES BOROUGH | AK2111566 | Surface Water | 2,376 | 73 |
| CHILKAT INDIAN VILLAGE | AK2110562 | Surface Water | 113 | 105 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Alaska
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.