Hardy, AR: 1 Violation — 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Hardy shows moderate tap water quality for AR — some areas carry documented EPA violations while others meet standards without issues.
How Hardy Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Hardy Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.03 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Hardy
Throughout Hardy, AR, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 8 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hardy, Arkansas (population ~3,829), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 17,133 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hardy: C (65/100)
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
Hardy water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Hardy
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72542 | C | 1 | 0 | Highland Water Association |
All ZIP Codes in Hardy
- 72542 [C] — 1 violation
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 Hardy
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Hardy
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Hardy's Housing Stock?
With 50% 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
The character of Hardy's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1984 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Hardy 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.
Hardy: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Hardy property values, the remediation-to-equity ratio falls in the elevated tier — deliberate financial planning is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach the documented water and safety issues on record here.
At 2.4% of home value, remediation costs in Hardy represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,200–$3,300. Home values here are 32% below the Arkansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hardy
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.
50% — that captures the slice of Hardy housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Hardy
How does Hardy's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 104 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Hardy has a moderate flood history with 104 FEMA claims averaging $30,796 per payout. 100% 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>$2,200</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.
What You Can Do in Hardy
- 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. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Hardy's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hardy, AR