Van Buren, AR: 24 Violations — 85/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Van Buren, AR: reliable drinking water, above-average safety record, few violations.
How Van Buren Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Van Buren Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 24 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.82 — above typical levels.
Van Buren's Water Providers
In Van Buren, AR, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 6 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Van Buren, Arkansas (population ~34,102), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 125,312 people region-wide.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Van Buren: A (85/100)
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
Van Buren 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): 2 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 24 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72956 | B | 12 | 0 | Van Buren Waterworks |
| 72957 | A | 12 | 0 | Van Buren Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Van Buren
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.
Van Buren 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
What's in Van Buren's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Van Buren
In Van Buren, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Van Buren are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 32% above the Arkansas average.
Van Buren: 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 Van Buren 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.
Van Buren: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data shows 50% of Van Buren's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 57 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Van Buren has a moderate flood history with 57 FEMA claims averaging $18,809 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 Van Buren, AR