Forrest City, AR Water Safety: 97/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Forrest City's tap water quality puts it in AR's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Forrest City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Forrest City Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.66 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Forrest City
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Forrest City, AR's residential water connections out of 6 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 2 ZIP codes in Forrest City, Arkansas, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 16,514 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Forrest City — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Forrest City: A (97/100)
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
Forrest City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
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): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72335 | A | Forrest City Waterworks | 9,986 |
| 72336 | A | Forrest City Waterworks | 9,986 |
All ZIP Codes in Forrest City
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 Forrest City
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
Forrest City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Forrest City sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Forrest City. The estimated $800–$1,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 31% below the Arkansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Forrest City
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.
Lead risk in Forrest City appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Forrest City
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Forrest City falls in moderate-exposure territory — 8 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 50% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Forrest City has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $821 per payout. 50% 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>$1,200</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 Forrest City, AR