Alpena, AR Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Alpena: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Based on current monitoring, Alpena holds an above-average drinking water safety record for AR - violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Alpena Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Alpena Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 41% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.06 - above typical levels.
Alpena's Water Providers
6 water systems are tracked federally in Alpena, AR. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Alpena, Arkansas (population ~1,783), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 32,284 people region-wide.
No EPA violations are recorded for the tracked water systems in Alpena as of the latest reporting period.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Alpena: B (72/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Alpena water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Alpena
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72611 | B | Harrison Waterworks | 17,455 |
All ZIP Codes in Alpena
- 72611 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Alpena Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Alpena Infrastructure Age
With 41% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Prohibited from residential plumbing since 1986, lead solder divides Alpena's housing stock along a timeline that the median build year of 1998 straddles. A meaningful share of homes predates the ban - a configuration that places moderate aggregate pressure on plumbing-related lead risk, distributed unevenly across neighborhoods.
Most homes in Alpena were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Alpena
Setting Alpena remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier - a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Alpena are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 20% below the Arkansas average.
Alpena: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 41% of the Alpena inventory was built in that earlier era - a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alpena, AR