Pencil Bluff, AR Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Pencil Bluff's water safety record falls below average in AR — compliance violations span multiple service areas, and several systems have recorded exceedances that trigger federal notification requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
How Pencil Bluff Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Pencil Bluff Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.16 — above typical levels.
Pencil Bluff's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 1 system operating in Pencil Bluff, AR. One of those systems serves the overwhelming majority of residential addresses, concentrating infrastructure management, rate authority, and EPA compliance reporting within a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Pencil Bluff, Arkansas, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 268 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Pencil Bluff — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pencil Bluff: D (53/100)
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
Pencil Bluff water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Pencil Bluff
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71965 | D | ODEN-PENCIL BLUFF WATER ASSN | 393 |
All ZIP Codes in Pencil Bluff
- 71965 [D]
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.
Pencil Bluff 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
Pencil Bluff Infrastructure Age
With 60% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Pencil Bluff's median build year of 1989 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Pencil Bluff 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Pencil Bluff
Given current Pencil Bluff valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Pencil Bluff are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 4% below the Arkansas average.
Pencil Bluff: 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.
When older housing represents 60% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Pencil Bluff address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Pencil Bluff
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Pencil Bluff, AR