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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 20 cities in Arkansas
It depends on your utility. 1 of the 18 Arkansas water systems we grade from EPA records has a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 99/100 (11 above the national 88). Lowest graded: Russellville (A). Highest: Little Rock (A).
Arkansas's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 18 Arkansas water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 99/100 — 11 points above the U.S. national average of 88/100. 100% of graded Arkansas cities (18 of 18) score above that national benchmark, and 18 earn a Grade A. 1 city has at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 2 cities are not graded because we have not yet matched them to an EPA water system.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Arkansas water systems are nitrates (delta agriculture), disinfection byproducts (surface-water treatment) and lead (older plumbing). See the full breakdown in our Arkansas water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Arkansas
368,455 residents
116,398 residents
98,948 residents
86,209 residents
81,888 residents
81,443 residents
64,008 residents
50,815 residents
39,419 residents
32,875 residents
31,188 residents
30,681 residents
30,063 residents
24,419 residents
75,343 residents
51,250 residents
43,438 residents
29,260 residents
64,591 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
32,731 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
Arkansas has generally adequate water quality but contends with agricultural runoff in the eastern Delta, naturally occurring contaminants in groundwater, and many small rural water systems that can struggle with compliance and aging infrastructure. The state's varied geology—from the Ozarks to the Mississippi Alluvial Plain—produces a wide range of local water conditions.
Across the 18 Arkansas cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 99/100. The highest-rated city is Little Rock with a score of 100/100, while Russellville has the most room for improvement at 90/100.
Arkansas cities average 99/100, but contaminants still vary at the tap and lead can leach from your own household plumbing after the water arrives. A certified filter removes trace contaminants and improves taste — here are two proven picks.
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Central Arkansas, including Little Rock, draws high-quality surface water from Lake Maumelle and Lake Winona. Eastern Arkansas relies heavily on the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer, which is under stress from agricultural pumping, while the Ozark and Sparta aquifers serve other regions.
These contaminants have been detected in various Arkansas water systems
The Arkansas Department of Health regulates public drinking water in compliance with federal EPA standards and provides technical assistance to the state's many small water systems. Arkansas has worked to help under-resourced rural utilities meet disinfection byproduct and other monitoring requirements.
Disinfection byproducts can be elevated in systems treating organic-rich surface water. Agricultural eastern Arkansas faces nitrate pressure, and infants are most at risk. Small rural systems and private wells can be vulnerable to bacterial contamination, especially after flooding along the major rivers.
Arkansas residents on private wells should test annually for bacteria and nitrate. For disinfection byproducts and chlorine taste, an activated-carbon filter is effective; reverse osmosis handles nitrate and arsenic. Check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report for trihalomethane and haloacetic acid levels.
Most Arkansas cities we grade have tap water in good standing with EPA. With an average score of 99/100 across 18 graded cities, Arkansas generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by utility, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Arkansas include nitrates (delta agriculture), disinfection byproducts (surface-water treatment), lead (older plumbing). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. Most Arkansas cities have water that meets EPA standards, though some residents prefer additional filtration for taste or extra protection. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Arkansas are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Arkansas water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Arkansas. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Arkansas city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Little Rock has the highest water quality score in Arkansas at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Arkansas page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Arkansas are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area