Tap water monitoring data for Little Rock shows a consistently clean picture in AR - few violations on record, compliance well above the median.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Little Rock

We track water quality and home safety data for 25 ZIP codes in Little Rock, Arkansas (population ~218,724), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 418,235 people region-wide.

No EPA violations have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Little Rock - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: A (93/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L
• 62% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 15% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1977
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 41/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 18%
• 6 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 62% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Little Rock residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

106,697 total housing units across 25 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Little Rock:

• 997 flood insurance claims on record
• $17,409,583 total paid out
• $17,462 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
• 9 of 25 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 25 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Little Rock Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Little Rock has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Little Rock

• 72201 [A]
• 72202 [A]
• 72203 [A]
• 72204 [B]
• 72205 [A]
• 72206 [A]
• 72207 [A]
• 72209 [A]
• 72210 [A]
• 72211 [A]
• 72212 [A]
• 72214 [A]
• 72215 [A]
• 72216 [A]
• 72217 [A]
• 72219 [A]
• 72221 [A]
• 72222 [A]
• 72223 [A]
• 72225 [A]
• 72227 [A]
• 72231 [A]
• 72255 [A]
• 72260 [A]
• 72295 [A]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Little Rock, AR?

Little Rock has an average Home Safety Score of 93/100 (grade A) across 25 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Little Rock have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Little Rock is 0.0010 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 62% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Little Rock at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 997 flood insurance claims in Little Rock ZIP codes, with an average payout of $17,462. 9 of 25 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Little Rock homes?

62% of Little Rock housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 15% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 18%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Little Rock has a newer housing profile - median build year 1977, placing most homes after the 1986 lead-solder ban.

1977

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Little Rock 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.

Protecting Children from Lead in Little Rock

0.001

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock

NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Little Rock accumulating 997 claims and carrying 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones - evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.

997

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~50

Est. Claims/Year

Little Rock has a moderate flood history with 997 FEMA claims. 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.

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.