Ethel, AR Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Ethel lands near the AR median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the city's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability across service areas rather than one problem driving the whole picture.
How Ethel Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ethel Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 15.62 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ethel
At present, 2 utilities serve the bulk of Ethel, AR's residential water connections out of 2 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ethel, Arkansas (population ~57), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 16,437 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ethel — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ethel: C (66/100)
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
Ethel water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ethel
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72048 | C | Grand Prairie Regional Water | 15,204 |
All ZIP Codes in Ethel
- 72048 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for Ethel
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
How Old Is Ethel's Housing Stock?
With 59% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Ethel's housing stock carries a median build year of 1985. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Ethel 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ethel
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.
When older housing represents 59% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Ethel address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Ethel
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 59% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ethel, AR