CITY REPORT AR

Little Rock, AR Water Safety: 93/100 (2026)

25 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

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

How Little Rock Compares

Little Rock93/100
Arkansas avg76/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

25
ZIP Codes
10
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
A · 93
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)
$258K
Median Home Value
$1,367
Est. Remediation (0.5% of home value)

Water Quality Map: Little Rock, AR

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Score Distribution

Distribution of water safety grades across Little Rock.

A
24
B
1
C
0
D
0
F
0

Little Rock Water: The Quick Version

  • Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,367 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.91 — above typical levels.

Water Systems Serving Little Rock

In Little Rock, AR, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 10 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.

Central Arkansas Water
Serves ~368,455 people
95
/100
Salem Water Users Llc
Serves ~16,737 people
90
/100
Sardis Water Association
Serves ~15,660 people
85
/100

Overview

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 recorded across any ZIP codes in Little Rock — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Little Rock: A (93/100)

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

Little Rock 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): 25 ZIP codes

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
72201 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72202 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72203 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72204 B Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72205 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72206 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72207 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72209 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72210 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455
72211 A Central Arkansas Water 368,455

All ZIP Codes in Little Rock

Data Sources

Updated daily.

CDC Health Data for Little Rock

10.3%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.9%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
17.5%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.3% ↑
Diabetes 12.9% ↑
Mental Health 17.5% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Little Rock: Remediation Cost in Perspective

Property equity in Little Rock runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.

Median Home Value
$257,800
Est. Remediation
$1,367
Remediation as % of home value 0.5%

Remediation costs in Little Rock are relatively low compared to home values. The $911–$1,994 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 93% above the Arkansas average.

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 data for Little Rock documents 997 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 64% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.

997
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$16,247
Avg Claim Payout
64%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~50
Est. Claims/Year

Little Rock has a significant flood history with 997 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $16,247 per claim. With 64% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.

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>$1,367</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Little Rock, AR?
Little Rock has an average water safety score of 93/100 (Grade A). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
Does Little Rock water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Little Rock is 0.001 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Little Rock compare to Arkansas average?
Little Rock has an average water safety score of 93/100, which is above the Arkansas state average of 76/100.
How many water systems serve Little Rock?
Little Rock is served by 10 public water systems across 25 ZIP codes, serving approximately 218,724 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Little Rock?
Estimated remediation costs in Little Rock average $1,367 per household, ranging from $911 to $1,994. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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