Murfreesboro, AR: Lead Above EPA Limits — 69/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Murfreesboro in AR, the pattern is middle-of-the-road — some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Murfreesboro Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Murfreesboro Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.027 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $5,520 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.6 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Murfreesboro
Water supply in Murfreesboro, AR follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 8 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Murfreesboro, Arkansas (population ~2,324), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 16,164 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Murfreesboro: C (69/100)
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
Murfreesboro water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0270 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71958 | C | 5 | 1 | Murfreesboro Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Murfreesboro
- 71958 [C] — 5 violations ⚠
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 Murfreesboro
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 Murfreesboro
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Murfreesboro's Housing Stock?
With 67% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Murfreesboro, where the median build year is 1971, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Murfreesboro 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.
Murfreesboro: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The cost-to-equity ratio for remediation in Murfreesboro is elevated — the financial planning challenge here is real and significant.
At 5.1% of home value, remediation costs in Murfreesboro represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $3,630–$7,760. Home values here are 19% below the Arkansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Murfreesboro
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.
When older interior plumbing dominates the local inventory at 67% — as in Murfreesboro — and citywide samples cross the federal benchmark, an in-home test moves from optional into a near-default step, particularly where small kids or pregnant residents share an address.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Murfreesboro
Taken together, Murfreesboro's 2 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Murfreesboro has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $4,505 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>$5,520</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 Murfreesboro
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Murfreesboro's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Murfreesboro, AR