Fayetteville, AR: 8 Health Violations — 87/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 14 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Fayetteville, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above AR's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Fayetteville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Fayetteville Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 92 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 34% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,650 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.2 — above typical levels.
Fayetteville's Water Providers
Water delivery in Fayetteville, AR is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 14 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Fayetteville, Arkansas (population ~114,403), covering 14 community water systems serving approximately 285,646 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fayetteville: A (87/100)
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
Fayetteville water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 4 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 50 | 4 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 40 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 10 | 4 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72701 | B | 23 | 2 | Fayetteville Waterworks |
| 72702 | A | 23 | 2 | Fayetteville Waterworks |
| 72703 | B | 23 | 2 | Fayetteville Waterworks |
| 72704 | B | 23 | 2 | Fayetteville Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Fayetteville
- 72701 [B] — 23 violations ⚠
- 72702 [A] — 23 violations ⚠
- 72703 [B] — 23 violations ⚠
- 72704 [B] — 23 violations ⚠
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.
Fayetteville 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
What's in Fayetteville's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Fayetteville Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Plumbing risk in residential housing tracks directly to construction era: pre-1986 homes may have lead-soldered copper joints; pre-1970 homes may have lead pipes outright. Fayetteville's median build year of 2001 places the city in a moderate risk zone where neither era dominates the housing inventory. Understanding which side of the 1986 threshold a specific property falls on — and whether it predates 1970 — is the most actionable starting point for a homeowner trying to assess their own tap water exposure.
Most homes in Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Given current Fayetteville valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Fayetteville are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,050–$2,475 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 142% above the Arkansas average.
Fayetteville: 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.
Older stock in Fayetteville represents 34% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Fayetteville: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Fayetteville, that record documents 257 claims and 75% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Fayetteville has a moderate flood history with 257 FEMA claims averaging $29,084 per payout. 75% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,650</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fayetteville, AR