Salem, AR Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Salem, 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 Salem Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Salem Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.72 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Salem
Water delivery in Salem, AR is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Salem, Arkansas, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,748 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Salem — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Salem: B (72/100)
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
Salem water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Salem
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72576 | B | Fulton County Water Authori | 2,411 |
All ZIP Codes in Salem
- 72576 [B]
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 Salem
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 Salem's Housing Stock?
With 64% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Salem's median build year of 1973 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Salem 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.
Salem: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Salem, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Salem are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% below the Arkansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Salem
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.
Older stock in Salem represents 64% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Salem, AR