Water Quality in Stephens, AR: 48 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems
5 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 48 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Stephens. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Stephens
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71764 | 48 | 20 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Stephens, Arkansas has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 48 violations, including 20 health-based violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
No lead result is attached to Stephens in our data. This is missing data, not a measurement: community water systems must monitor lead under the Lead and Copper Rule, so ask your utility for its latest result. Community water systems are required to monitor lead under the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule.
With 70% of homes built before 1986, Stephens has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Stephens
Stephens is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 1,405 people live in the area (1 ZIP code, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list enforcement actions against water systems serving Stephens. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Stephens
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Stephens Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Stephens's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 12 | 1 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 8 | 1 | Yes |
| Chlorine | Disinfectant | 4 mg/L (MRDL) | 3 | 1 | No |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year health-based EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Stephens (this history covers health-based records only):
| Year | Health-based violations |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 3 |
Health-based violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken enforcement actions against water systems serving Stephens. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-17 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2026-03-04 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-12-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-24 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-04 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-09-18 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-05-23 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-05-23 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-04-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-04-22 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-17.
Stephens vs. Nearby Arkansas Cities
How Stephens's water quality compares to similar cities in Arkansas:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephens | 1 | 48 | 5 | 1,405 |
| Midway | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1,422 |
| Tyronza | 1 | 30 | 5 | 1,385 |
| Hermitage | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1,430 |
Common Questions About Stephens Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Stephens, Arkansas:
Is Stephens water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Stephens's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Stephens tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 20 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Stephens? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Stephens vs. Arkansas Average
Understanding how Stephens compares to the broader Arkansas average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Stephens.
ZIP Codes in Stephens
Stephens spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.