Household Chromium-6 Concerns in Anchorage Municipality: Government Data Insights for Elmendorf Air Force Base

Government sampling from the Elmendorf Air Force Base public water system in Anchorage Municipality, Alaska, shows that hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) is consistently detected in surface water sources serving the community. While no health-based violations have been recorded by EPA, understanding these findings is important for households experiencing challenges with their existing water treatment equipment.

If You Know Your Chromium-6 Comes from Natural or Industrial Sources

Chromium in water exists primarily in two oxidation states: trivalent chromium (chromium-3) and hexavalent chromium (chromium-6). Chromium-6 is often associated with industrial plating and manufacturing processes but can also arise from natural geogenic sources, especially in areas with specific geological characteristics.

Elmendorf’s water is surface-sourced, and federal occurrence data indicates measurable chromium-6 at levels below any regulatory maximum contaminant level (MCL), as none exists yet federally for chromium-6. The presence of chromium-6 at this site reflects regional water chemistry influenced by surface water characteristics rather than a direct indication of pollution or industrial discharge.

If You Want to Understand What the UCMR3 Survey Means for Your Household's Water

The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3) survey conducted from 2013 to 2015 sampled water across public systems—including Elmendorf Air Force Base—to gather nationwide data on contaminants like chromium-6. This survey is not intended as a compliance test or an assessment of individual home water quality but as a means to inform federal regulatory decisions.

Results report detection frequencies and concentration ranges but don’t translate to specific health risk conclusions for individual households. If your home experiences any equipment failure or water quality concern, individual testing is necessary to understand your specific water conditions.

If You Are Considering How Representative the Data Is for Your Well or Household

The Elmendorf Air Force Base public system tested 12 samples for chromium-6 during UCMR3, all showing detectable levels between 0.03 and 0.52 micrograms per liter (µg/L), with a median of 0.395 µg/L. This is a limited sample set providing a snapshot of water quality at the system scale but does not establish conditions at every tap or premise.

A small number of samples means individual households may see higher or lower concentrations. To obtain precise information about your home's water, a certified laboratory test is recommended.

If You Have a Certified Lab Report for Chromium-6, Here's How to Interpret It

A certified laboratory test will report chromium-6 concentration in micrograms per liter (µg/L), which is equivalent to parts per billion (ppb). These results identify the specific concentration of hexavalent chromium in your water sample at the time of collection.

Comparing your result to the Elmendorf public water system data can offer context but cannot replace the need for your own water quality assessment. Remember, the EPA has no federal MCL for chromium-6, so detection alone is not a safety violation.

If You Want to Understand the Median and Range Reported for Elmendorf Water

Interpreting the median value of 0.395 µg/L means half the tested samples had chromium-6 above this concentration and half below. The highest reading of 0.52 µg/L suggests limited variation within the samples taken.

These values are significantly lower than the federal MCL for total chromium, which is 100 µg/L, indicating that chromium levels in Elmendorf public water are substantially below this health-based regulatory threshold.

What You Should Not Conclude from Area Data Alone

Data collected at the system level does not reveal conditions inside your home or well. Detection of chromium-6 in public water systems does not mean your household water has the same concentration, nor that it is unsafe. EPA’s record for Elmendorf Air Force Base shows zero health-based violations for chromium or chromium-6.

After equipment failure, to ensure your water quality meets your household expectations, consider obtaining a certified chromium-6 water test specific to your property. For treatment, the Fleck Chromium-6 Filter ships ready to configure and offers a reliable way to address chromium-6 concerns identified through testing.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-06-29. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for USAF Elmendorf AFB (AK2211423), AK: 24 results across 2 listed contaminants, 24 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L