Alpena, AR Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
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: 2026-06-03
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.
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 recorded across any ZIP codes in Alpena — an excellent indicator of water quality.
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