Arkansas Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Arkansas, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Siloam Springs Waterworks has the highest PFAS in Arkansas at 7 ppt (2x the EPA limit). Pleasant View Water Fac Board has the highest lead at 370 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Arkansas
Public water systems in Arkansas with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siloam Springs Waterworks | Siloam Springs · 21,430 served | 7 | 2 | 2x |
| 2 | Bentonville Water Utilities | Bentonville · 51,250 served | 6.2 | 1 | 2x |
| 3 | Lakeview-Midway Public Water Authority | Lakeview · 4,383 served | 5.6 | 1 | 1x |
| 4 | Nashville Waterworks | Nashville · 4,153 served | 5.4 | 1 | 1x |
Highest Lead Levels in Arkansas
Community water systems in Arkansas with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pleasant View Water Fac Board | Mulberry · 1,708 served | 370 | 24.7x over |
| 2 | Central Arkansas Water Paron | Little Rock · 2,025 served | 78 | 5.2x over |
| 3 | Adc - Cummins Unit Maint | Grady · 3,800 served | 56 | 3.7x over |
| 4 | Harrison Waterworks | Harrison · 17,455 served | 49 | 3.3x over |
| 5 | Valley Springs Waterworks | Valley Springs · 3,400 served | 33 | 2.2x over |
| 6 | Bearden Waterworks | Bearden · 2,511 served | 18 | 1.2x over |
| 7 | Sw Boone County Water Assoc | Harrison · 4,558 served | 16 | 1.1x over |
| 8 | Hackett Waterworks | Hackett · 1,090 served | 15 | within |
| 9 | Toad Suck Public Facility Bd | Bigelow · 1,340 served | 15 | within |
| 10 | Eureka Springs Waterworks | Eureka Springs · 4,053 served | 14 | within |
| 11 | Tri-County Water Distbr Dist | Russelville · 20,394 served | 13 | within |
| 12 | Atkins Water System | Atkins · 4,439 served | 12 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Arkansas
Community water systems in Arkansas with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danville Waterworks | Danville · 2,810 served | 45 |
| 2 | Bodcaw Rural Water System | Rosston · 1,430 served | 40 |
| 3 | Lee County Water Association | Marianna · 3,770 served | 34 |
| 4 | Mount Ida Waterworks | Mount Ida · 3,218 served | 31 |
| 5 | Southwest Arkansas Water System | Hope · 2,335 served | 29 |
| 6 | Clarendon Waterworks | Clarendon · 1,320 served | 26 |
| 7 | Milltown-Washburn Water Users | Greenwood · 4,325 served | 24 |
| 8 | Lakeside Water Association | Waldo · 1,876 served | 24 |
| 9 | Delight Waterworks | Delight · 1,577 served | 23 |
| 10 | Pangburn Waterworks | Pangburn · 2,936 served | 23 |
| 11 | Little River Co Rda | Foreman · 4,279 served | 22 |
| 12 | Morning Star Public Water Authority | Marshall · 1,543 served | 21 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Arkansas?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Siloam Springs Waterworks in Siloam Springs had the highest recorded PFAS level in Arkansas at 7 ppt - about 2x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Arkansas water system has the highest lead levels?
Pleasant View Water Fac Board in Mulberry had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Arkansas under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 370 ppb - 24.7x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Arkansas water system has the most EPA violations?
Danville Waterworks in Danville has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Arkansas, with 45 violations.
Where does the Arkansas water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Arkansas Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Arkansas water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.