Poughkeepsie, AR Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Poughkeepsie, water quality data indicates below-average safety by AR standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Poughkeepsie Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Poughkeepsie Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 49% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.03 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Poughkeepsie
Federal drinking water records identify 3 systems in Poughkeepsie, AR. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Poughkeepsie, Arkansas (population ~673), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 6,810 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Poughkeepsie — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Poughkeepsie: 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
Poughkeepsie water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Poughkeepsie
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72569 | D | Cave City Waterworks | 3,045 |
All ZIP Codes in Poughkeepsie
- 72569 [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.
CDC Health Data for Poughkeepsie
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 Old Is Poughkeepsie's Housing Stock?
With 49% 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
Prohibited from residential plumbing since 1986, lead solder divides Poughkeepsie's housing stock along a timeline that the median build year of 1983 straddles. A meaningful share of homes predates the ban — a configuration that places moderate aggregate pressure on plumbing-related lead risk, distributed unevenly across neighborhoods.
Most homes in Poughkeepsie were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Poughkeepsie: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Setting Poughkeepsie remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Poughkeepsie are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% below the Arkansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Poughkeepsie
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.
If 49% of the Poughkeepsie inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Poughkeepsie
- 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 49% 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 Poughkeepsie, AR