Pickens, AR: Lead Above EPA Limits — 33/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Pickens ranks below average for tap water safety in AR — health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Pickens Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Pickens Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 59 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0176 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $4,560 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 18.81 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Pickens
2 water systems are tracked federally in Pickens, AR. The top 2 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Pickens, Arkansas (population ~81), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 6,387 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 21 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pickens: F (33/100)
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
Pickens water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0176 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 40 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 36 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 30 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71662 | F | 59 | 21 | Dumas Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Pickens
- 71662 [F] — 59 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 Pickens
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 Pickens
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Pickens's Housing Stock?
With 66% 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
Reading the housing age data for Pickens — median build year 1963 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Pickens 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Pickens
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.
66% — that captures the slice of Pickens housing built before the federal ban on solder containing lead. Aggregate utility samples have also moved past the action threshold, meaning the system-level data and the housing-inventory data point the same direction. Households with kids or pregnant residents face a practical question that only a faucet sample can answer for one specific address, with certified filter options through retailer networks available where confirmed results warrant it.
<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.
What You Can Do in Pickens
- 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 Chlorine residual can reduce the most common contaminant found in Pickens's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 66% 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 Pickens, AR