COUNTY REPORT AR

Ouachita County, Arkansas

6 ZIP codes · Avg score 82/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04

Compared to state averages, Ouachita County scores well — its 6 ZIP codes sit above the baseline for tap water quality.

How Ouachita County Compares

Ouachita County82/100
Arkansas avg76/100
National avg68/100

How Ouachita County Compares

B
County Grade
82/100
Avg Safety Score
6
ZIP Codes
18
Water Systems

Ouachita County scores 6 points above the Arkansas state average (76/100) and 14 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

B
County Grade
82
Avg Safety Score
6
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 71726 (88/100)
Lowest ZIP: 71720 (70/100)
$79K
Median Home Value
$2,310
Avg Remediation (292% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Ouachita County, Arkansas

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 16.8 (asthma 11%, diabetes 17.7%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $662, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.392% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk

64.2% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

EPA violation counts by year across Ouachita County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
1 (1 health)
2022
1 (1 health)
2023
4 (4 health)
2024
27 (27 health)
2025
9 (9 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 27 violations. Past 5 years: 42 total (42 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

Asthma 11% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 17.7% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 43.5% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1972
Median Build Year
64.2%
Pre-1978 Housing
39%
Pipe Failure Probability
33%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $662

Flood $300/yr
Energy Code Gap $195/yr
Water / Lead $167/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

12,612 housing units in Ouachita County

Pre-1940 9%
1940–1959 23%
1960–1979 28%
1980–1999 28%
2000+ 12%

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 Ouachita County

$79K
Median Home Value
$2,310
Est. Remediation Cost
2.9%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value moderate burden

Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.

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 Ouachita County residents

Asthma 11% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 17.7% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 43.5% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Ouachita County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Hwy 4 24 Water Association 2,135 24
2 Wire Road Water System 830 24
3 Camden Waterworks 13,275 22
4 Harmony Grove Water Assoc 2,192 22
5 Locust Bayou Water Association 531 22

18 total water systems serve Ouachita County.

All ZIP Codes in Ouachita County

6 ZIP codes tracked in Ouachita County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 71726 Chidester 88 A 0 $76K
2 71764 Stephens 87 A 2 $63K
3 71763 Sparkman 86 A 2 $79K
4 71711 Camden 85 A 11 (8 health)
5 71701 Camden 74 B 11 (8 health) $107K
6 71720 Bearden 70 B 0 $95K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Ouachita County

Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.

Overview

Ouachita County in Arkansas covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (82/100).

4 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 16 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Arkansas water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Ouachita County?
Ouachita County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 6 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Ouachita County?
Ouachita County is served by 18 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 6 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Ouachita County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Ouachita County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $662 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Ouachita County?
The median home build year in Ouachita County is 1972. 64.2% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Ouachita County compare to Arkansas?
Ouachita County has an average water safety score of 82/100, which is above the Arkansas state average of 76/100.

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