Cotter, AR Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The water systems supplying Cotter show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards — consistently among the better performers in AR.
How Cotter Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Cotter Water
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.56 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Cotter
In Cotter, AR, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cotter, Arkansas (population ~1,360), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 27,274 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cotter — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cotter: 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
Cotter water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Cotter
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72626 | B | Cotter Waterworks | 1,233 |
All ZIP Codes in Cotter
- 72626 [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.
Health Outcomes in Cotter
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 Cotter
With 70% 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
Reading the housing age data for Cotter — median build year 1975 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Cotter were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Cotter Homeowners
Remediation costs in Cotter are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Cotter are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 28% above the Arkansas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cotter
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Cotter — 70% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cotter, AR