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Community Water System · PWS AK2310730

Golden Heart Utilities

Fairbanks, Alaska 99708 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 78,324 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

78,324
People served
122
EPA violations
2
Health-based
4 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 122 drinking-water violations at Golden Heart Utilities, 2% of them health-based - below the Alaska per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 4 PFAS compounds.

122
Total EPA violations on record
2%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
78,324
People served by this system
4
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Golden Heart Utilities

Golden Heart Utilities is a private-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 78,324 residents in Fairbanks, Alaska (Fairbanks North Star Borough County) through 6,951 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 122 total violations for this system , of which 2 (2%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 69 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2013.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Fluoride, recorded in 9 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 4 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 8.8 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Alaska, EPA tracks 1,326 public water systems serving 862,218 people, with 267,144 cumulative violations and 13,963 health-based violations on record. About 98% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 201.5 violations. Statewide, 10 of 30 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (33.3%).

Golden Heart Utilities's 122 violations sit below the Alaska average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

4 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
78,324
Total Violations
122
Health-Based Violations
2
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Private
Connections
6,951
County
Fairbanks North Star Borough
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
0
Monitoring Violations
69
Treatment Tech Violations
2

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Fluoride MR 9 1990
Ethylbenzene MR 3 1990
Tetrachloroethylene MR 3 1990
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 3 1990
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 3 1990
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 3 1990
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 3 1990
Styrene MR 3 1990
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 3 1990
CHLOROBENZENE MR 3 1990
Benzene MR 3 1990
Trichloroethylene MR 3 1990
Carbon tetrachloride MR 3 1990
Vinyl chloride MR 3 1990
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 3 1990
Toluene MR 3 1990
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 3 1990
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 3 1990
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 3 1990
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 3 1990
Groundwater Rule TT 2 2013
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U MR 2 1989
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 1 2000
Nitrate MR 1 1993

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 5 of 58 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
ADONA 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/1/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/1/2024 5.40 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFHxA 7/1/2024 3.70 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFUnA 7/1/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/1/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/1/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/1/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/1/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/1/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/1/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/1/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/1/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/1/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/1/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/1/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/1/2024 3.30 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMBA 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/1/2024 8.80 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
8:2 FTS 7/1/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/1/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/1/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/1/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 1/17/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 1/17/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 1/17/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 1/17/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 1/17/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 1/17/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 1/17/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 1/17/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 1/17/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 1/17/2025 5.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFHpA 1/17/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 1/17/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 1/17/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 1/17/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 1/17/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 1/17/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 1/17/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 1/17/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 1/17/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 1/17/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 1/17/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Golden Heart Utilities.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID AK2310730 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Alaska Drinking Water Authority

Alaska's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.

Find AK regulator via EPA SDWIS

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2013 Groundwater Rule TT 2 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 0700
2000 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 1 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 7000
1993 Nitrate MR 1 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 1040
1990 Fluoride MR 9 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 1025
1990 Ethylbenzene MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2992
1990 Tetrachloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2987
1990 o-Dichlorobenzene MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2968
1990 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2980
1990 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2977
1990 trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2979
1990 Styrene MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2996
1990 1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2985
1990 CHLOROBENZENE MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2989
1990 Benzene MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2990
1990 Trichloroethylene MR 3 SDWIS / AK2310730 / 2984

How Golden Heart Utilities Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Golden Heart Utilities Alaska avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 122 201.5 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 2 10.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 4 compounds 33.3% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 78,324 650 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 1,326 regulated public water systems in Alaska.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Golden Heart Utilities water safe to drink?
Golden Heart Utilities (PWS ID: AK2310730) has 122 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 4 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 78,324 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Golden Heart Utilities serve?
Golden Heart Utilities serves 78,324 people in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is a Private-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 6,951 service connections.
What type of violations does Golden Heart Utilities have?
Golden Heart Utilities has 122 total violations: 2 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 69 monitoring/reporting violations, and 2 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Golden Heart Utilities water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 4 PFAS compounds in Golden Heart Utilities's water supply: PFOA, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFHxS. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Golden Heart Utilities use?
Golden Heart Utilities uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.