Knoxville, AR Water Safety: 88/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current AR EPA data, Knoxville's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.
How Knoxville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Knoxville Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 56% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 15.35 — above typical levels.
Knoxville's Water Providers
Multiple utilities divide Knoxville, AR's water service — 2 leading providers among 2 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Knoxville, Arkansas (population ~882), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 6,915 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Knoxville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Knoxville: A (88/100)
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
Knoxville water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Knoxville
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72845 | A | Knoxville Waterworks | 2,087 |
All ZIP Codes in Knoxville
- 72845 [A]
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.
Knoxville 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
Knoxville Infrastructure Age
With 56% 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 median home in Knoxville was built in 1987 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Knoxville 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.
Knoxville: 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 interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 56% of Knoxville homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Knoxville, AR