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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.
Comprehensive water safety analysis • Updated April 2026
Little Rock's water quality score of 69/100 falls below average, with 0 contaminants at concerning levels.
•There are currently 1 unresolved EPA violation(s) for Little Rock's water system.
Some Concerns. Consider a water filter for extra protection. Score: 69/100.
Want to understand your score better? Learn how scores are calculated →
8 contaminants tested • EPA SDWIS data • Click any contaminant for details
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrite | 0.403 mg/L | 1.00 mg/L | 40.3% | Safe |
| Nitrate | 3.86 mg/L | 10.00 mg/L | 38.6% | Safe |
| Fluoride | 1.28 mg/L | 4.00 mg/L | 32.0% | Safe |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 23.52 ug/L | 80.00 ug/L | 29.4% | Safe |
| Copper | 0.368 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 28.3% | Safe |
| Arsenic | 0.0028 mg/L | 0.010 mg/L | 28.1% | Safe |
| Lead | 0.0039 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 26.2% | Safe |
| Mercury | 0.0003 mg/L | 0.0020 mg/L | 17.3% | Safe |
In-depth assessment of your municipal water supply
The water quality in Little Rock, Arkansas has been comprehensively evaluated using data from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and local water utility reports. Our analysis examines 8 distinct contaminants across multiple categories including inorganic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, microorganisms, and radionuclides. With an overall quality score of 69 out of 100 (Grade: C+), Little Rock's water supply meets minimum EPA requirements but shows areas for improvement.
Little Rock's primary water system, LITTLE ROCK WATER SYSTEM, serves approximately 206,807 residents. The water is sourced from a combination of surface and groundwater sources. Groundwater is generally naturally filtered through soil and rock layers, though it may contain elevated levels of minerals and naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic or radon.
Of the 8 contaminants analyzed in Little Rock's water supply, 8 (100%) are present at safe levels below 50% of EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). No contaminants currently exceed EPA safety limits. The most common categories of concern in municipal water supplies include disinfection byproducts formed during the chlorination process, heavy metals like lead that can leach from aging infrastructure, and naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic or radium that vary by geographic region.
Little Rock's water system has a compliance history with 3 documented EPA violations. Currently, 1 violation remains unresolved and under active remediation. Violations can range from monitoring and reporting failures to actual exceedances of contaminant limits. Water utilities are required by law to notify customers of any violations that may affect health and to take corrective action to return to compliance.
Water quality at the tap can differ from quality at the treatment plant due to distribution system conditions. Homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or lead solder in plumbing that can contribute to lead exposure. Older galvanized pipes can harbor bacteria and release metals. Running cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or cooking helps flush stagnant water from pipes. Residents in older homes should consider testing their water directly at the tap to assess any additional contamination from household plumbing, as EPA monitoring typically occurs at distribution points rather than individual residences.
Understanding potential health effects for residents
Certain groups face elevated health risks from water contaminants and should take extra precautions. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable as contaminants like lead and nitrates can affect fetal development, potentially causing developmental delays and birth defects. Infants and young children are at heightened risk because their developing bodies absorb contaminants more readily and are more susceptible to their effects; lead exposure in children can cause irreversible cognitive impairment and behavioral problems. Elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems (including cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and HIV/AIDS patients) are more susceptible to waterborne pathogens and may experience severe illness from microorganisms that healthy adults can tolerate. Individuals with kidney disease should be aware of fluoride and other mineral levels, as impaired kidney function affects the body's ability to filter these substances.
Lead has been detected in Little Rock's water supply. There is no safe level of lead exposure. In children, lead can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, weight loss, hearing loss, and seizures. In adults, lead exposure contributes to cardiovascular problems, decreased kidney function, and reproductive issues. Pregnant women exposed to lead can transfer it to their developing fetus, increasing risk of premature birth and reduced growth. Use an NSF 53 certified filter and run cold water before drinking to reduce exposure.
Arsenic has been detected in Little Rock's water supply. Long-term arsenic exposure, even at levels near EPA limits, is associated with increased risk of skin, lung, bladder, kidney, and liver cancers. Arsenic exposure can also cause cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological effects. Skin changes like thickening and pigmentation may indicate chronic exposure. Reverse osmosis filtration is highly effective at removing arsenic from drinking water.
Elevated nitrate levels in Little Rock's water pose particular risk to infants under six months. Nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"), a condition where the blood cannot carry sufficient oxygen. Symptoms include bluish skin color, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, death. Formula-fed infants are at greatest risk. Pregnant women should also limit nitrate exposure. Boiling water does NOT remove nitrates—it actually concentrates them. Reverse osmosis or distillation systems effectively remove nitrates.
Based on Little Rock's water quality profile, residents should consider the following protective measures: Installing a point-of-use water filter is strongly recommended given the current water quality score. Always use cold water for drinking and cooking, as hot water can contain higher levels of metals from pipes. Have your home tested if it was built before 1986 to check for lead plumbing. Review your annual Consumer Confidence Report (water quality report) from your utility to stay informed about local water quality trends. Pregnant women, families with young children, and immunocompromised individuals should consult healthcare providers about water safety precautions specific to their situation.
Based on detected contaminants
Best for Little Rock. Removes 95-99% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and nitrates.
Good for Little Rock. Removes chlorine, improves taste, and filters many organic compounds.
Lead detected in Little Rock. Ensure any filter is NSF/ANSI 53 certified for lead removal.
Past violations for Little Rock's water system
other
Haloacetic Acids - 2/3/2025
other
Fluoride - 2/4/2021
ResolvedMCL
Mercury - 2/4/2024
ResolvedLittle Rock Water Quality Score
Based on EPA contaminant data and compliance records
Even with good water quality, many families choose to filter their water for extra peace of mind.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Explore detailed information about each contaminant detected in Little Rock's water:
View All Contaminants →Find the right filter for your Little Rock water quality needs:
Understand the contaminants that may be present in Little Rock's water supply and their health effects.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.
Little Rock's drinking water is managed by LITTLE ROCK WATER SYSTEM, which serves approximately 206,807 residents through a combination of surface and groundwater sources. Our analysis of 8 tested contaminants reveals a quality score of 69/100, placing Little Rock below the state average, suggesting room for improvement.
Little Rock's water quality is strong across all tested parameters, with all contaminants well within EPA safety limits. This reflects effective water treatment and well-maintained infrastructure.
Little Rock's water system has 3 documented EPA violations in its compliance history. Some remain unresolved, which may affect ongoing water quality. Compliance history is one of the factors in our scoring methodology.
This report is based on data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database. Our scoring algorithm weighs contaminant analysis (50%), compliance history (30%), and infrastructure factors (20%). Data is sourced directly from public EPA records and Consumer Confidence Reports. We are an independent resource with no affiliation to water utilities or government agencies. Learn more about our methodology.
Little Rock's tap water has some concerns with a quality score of 69/100. We recommend using a water filter for additional protection.
Little Rock's water has been tested for 8 contaminants. All tested contaminants are within safe limits.
Based on Little Rock's water quality profile, we recommend a reverse osmosis system for the most comprehensive filtration. View our water filter comparison for recommendations.
Little Rock's primary water system (LITTLE ROCK WATER SYSTEM) sources water from a combination of sources, serving 206,807 residents.