Van Buren County, Arkansas
9 ZIP codes · Avg score 74/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Water utilities serving Van Buren County's 9 ZIP codes have built a consistent compliance record — the county's above-average grade reflects years of data showing low violation rates and no systemic health concerns.
How Van Buren County Compares
How Van Buren County Compares
Van Buren County scores 2 points below the Arkansas state average (76/100) and 6 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Van Buren County, Arkansas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 17.1 (asthma 10.4%, diabetes 16.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $278, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.319% avg pipe failure probability, 25% of ZIPs at high risk
51.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↓ Improving trendEPA violation counts by year across Van Buren County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 15 total (15 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.
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: $278
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
11,443 housing units in Van Buren 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 Van Buren County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cross County Rural Water Sys | 8,788 | 22 |
| 2 | Brinkley Waterworks | 2,992 | 22 |
| 3 | United Water Association | 450 | 22 |
| 4 | Cotton Plant Waterworks | 435 | 22 |
| 5 | Bee Branch Water | 3,630 | 3 |
17 total water systems serve Van Buren County.
All ZIP Codes in Van Buren County
9 ZIP codes tracked in Van Buren County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72031 | Clinton | 90 | A | 1 | $121K |
| 2 | 72131 | Quitman | 87 | A | 0 | $163K |
| 3 | 72039 | Damascus | 86 | A | 2 (2 health) | $147K |
| 4 | 72036 | Cotton Plant | 73 | B | 22 | $45K |
| 5 | 72013 | Bee Branch | 66 | C | 0 | $137K |
| 6 | 72027 | Center Ridge | 66 | C | 0 | $71K |
| 7 | 72028 | Choctaw | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 8 | 72088 | Fairfield Bay | 66 | C | 0 | $158K |
| 9 | 72141 | Scotland | 66 | C | 0 | $96K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Van Buren 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.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 51.5% of homes built before 1978
- 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 Van Buren County, Arkansas
Overview
Van Buren County in Arkansas covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (74/100).
3 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 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.