Howard County, Arkansas
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 77/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA monitoring reports for Howard County cover 5 ZIP codes and tell a largely reassuring story — compliance rates are high and health-based violations are far below the national norm.
How Howard County Compares
How Howard County Compares
Howard County scores 1 points above the Arkansas state average (76/100) and 9 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Howard County, Arkansas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.4 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 15.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $836, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.354% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
58.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Howard County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 19 violations. Past 5 years: 33 total (33 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $836
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
7,035 housing units in Howard County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Howard County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Howard County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Howard County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Howard County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville Rural Water Authority | 7,291 | 3 |
| 2 | North Howard Rural Water Association | 710 | 3 |
| 3 | Mineral Springs Waterworks | 1,364 | 3 |
| 4 | Southwest Arkansas Water System | 2,335 | 3 |
| 5 | Nashville Waterworks | 4,153 | 3 |
13 total water systems serve Howard County.
All ZIP Codes in Howard County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Howard County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 71833 | Dierks | 87 | A | 0 | $106K |
| 2 | 71851 | Mineral Springs | 87 | A | 0 | $115K |
| 3 | 71852 | Nashville | 78 | B | 3 (3 health) | $157K |
| 4 | 71859 | Saratoga | 66 | C | 0 | $188K |
| 5 | 71971 | Umpire | 66 | C | 0 | $185K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Howard County
Retailer arrangements don't shape what appears here — the selection logic is independent, filtered against EPA detections and the federal hazard data on file for this county.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 58.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Howard County, Arkansas
Overview
Howard County in Arkansas covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (77/100).
1 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Arkansas water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.