Carthage, AR Water Safety: 88/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water monitoring in Carthage shows a safety record well above the AR median — health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.
How Carthage Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Carthage Water
- Homes built before 1986: 46% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 16.36 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Carthage
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Carthage, AR — out of 3 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Carthage, Arkansas (population ~253), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 9,544 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Carthage — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Carthage: A (88/100)
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
Carthage water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Carthage
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71725 | A | Tulip-princeton Water Assn | 1,083 |
All ZIP Codes in Carthage
- 71725 [A]
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.
Health Outcomes in Carthage
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Carthage
With 46% 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
Carthage's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1982 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints — a plumbing practice banned that year — while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Carthage 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.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Carthage
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.
Locally, 46% of Carthage homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Carthage, AR