Searcy, AR Water Safety: 96/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Searcy by AR authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Searcy Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Searcy Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.76 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Searcy
Water supply in Searcy, AR follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 10 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 3 ZIP codes in Searcy, Arkansas (population ~35,523), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 69,292 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Searcy — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Searcy: A (96/100)
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
Searcy water systems draw from: Surface water.
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): 3 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72143 | A | Searcy Waterworks | 28,196 |
| 72145 | A | Searcy Waterworks | 28,196 |
| 72149 | A | Searcy Waterworks | 28,196 |
All ZIP Codes in Searcy
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 Searcy
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
Searcy: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The Searcy equity share sits above the low tier but short of the range where remediation becomes a heavy financial burden — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and deliberate planning is the key practical lever for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Searcy. The estimated $1,200–$2,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 32% above the Arkansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Searcy
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 Searcy 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Searcy
Flood history in Searcy spans 48 NFIP claims and 33% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Searcy has a moderate flood history with 48 FEMA claims averaging $29,242 per payout. 33% 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>$1,800</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 Searcy, AR