Water quality and associated microbial ecology in selected Alaska Native communities: Challenges in off-the-grid water supplies.

•Metal contamination was location-specific and dependent on geologic formation.•Alarmingly high As levels were found in several groundwater wells.•Al, Fe, and Mn found in wells present aesthetic issues and potential health risks.•Diverse microbial communities in water grouped based on elevation.•Water quality can present significant health risks to the Natives in the study area.