Pine Bluff, AR Water Safety: 91/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Pine Bluff, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above AR's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Pine Bluff Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Pine Bluff Residents
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.55 — above typical levels.
Pine Bluff's Water Providers
Water supply in Pine Bluff, AR follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 9 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 4 ZIP codes in Pine Bluff, Arkansas (population ~43,255), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 77,053 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Pine Bluff — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pine Bluff: A (91/100)
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
Pine Bluff water systems draw from: Groundwater.
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): 4 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71601 | A | Liberty Utilities | 43,438 |
| 71603 | B | Liberty Utilities | 43,438 |
| 71611 | A | Liberty Utilities | 43,438 |
| 71613 | A | Liberty Utilities | 43,438 |
All ZIP Codes in Pine Bluff
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.
Pine 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
How Remediation Costs Compare in Pine Bluff
Across the Pine Bluff housing market, the estimated remediation share lands in a middle tier — not a minor footnote, but not a prohibitive burden either; the cost-to-value ratio reflects a moderate equity commitment, one that sits above routine maintenance territory and warrants a dedicated line in the household budget.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Pine Bluff. The estimated $800–$1,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 13% below the Arkansas average.
Pine 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.
Lead risk in Pine Bluff 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.
Pine Bluff: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Taken together, Pine Bluff's 259 NFIP flood insurance claims and 50% 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.
Pine Bluff has a moderate flood history with 259 FEMA claims averaging $9,869 per payout. 50% 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>$1,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Pine Bluff, AR