Worst Infrastructure: Arkansas — 2026 Rankings

Out of 658 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Arkansas, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	658
Highest risk	61%
Median risk	37%
Average risk	37%
State	Arkansas

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	72431	Grubbs	AR	61%	Very High	70/100
2	71958	Murfreesboro	AR	60%	High	69/100
3	72838	Gravelly	AR	60%	High	66/100
4	71764	Stephens	AR	59%	High	87/100
5	71662	Pickens	AR	58%	High	33/100
6	72826	Blue Mountain	AR	57%	High	87/100
7	71940	Delight	AR	56%	High	55/100
8	72342	Helena	AR	56%	High	55/100
9	72615	Bergman	AR	56%	High	72/100
10	72641	Jasper	AR	56%	High	64/100
11	72685	Western Grove	AR	56%	High	86/100
12	71640	Eudora	AR	55%	High	77/100
13	72360	Marianna	AR	55%	High	65/100
14	71639	Dumas	AR	54%	High	83/100
15	71827	Buckner	AR	54%	High	86/100
16	72029	Clarendon	AR	54%	High	57/100
17	72199	North Little Rock	AR	54%	High	88/100
18	72390	West Helena	AR	54%	High	60/100
19	72422	Corning	AR	54%	High	85/100
20	72636	Gilbert	AR	54%	High	53/100
21	72901	Fort Smith	AR	54%	High	85/100
22	72927	Booneville	AR	54%	High	94/100
23	71855	Ozan	AR	53%	High	87/100
24	71857	Prescott	AR	53%	High	94/100
25	71860	Stamps	AR	53%	High	87/100
26	72108	Monroe	AR	53%	High	73/100
27	72328	Crumrod	AR	53%	High	66/100
28	72368	Moro	AR	53%	High	57/100
29	72842	Havana	AR	53%	High	88/100
30	72853	Ola	AR	53%	High	67/100
31	71752	Mc Neil	AR	52%	High	88/100
32	71770	Waldo	AR	52%	High	55/100
33	71861	Taylor	AR	52%	High	78/100
34	72430	Greenway	AR	52%	High	73/100
35	72456	Pollard	AR	52%	High	88/100
36	72470	Success	AR	52%	High	87/100
37	72855	Paris	AR	52%	High	89/100
38	72933	Charleston	AR	52%	High	94/100
39	71663	Portland	AR	51%	High	78/100
40	71701	Camden	AR	51%	High	74/100
41	71753	Magnolia	AR	51%	High	94/100
42	71801	Hope	AR	51%	High	78/100
43	71852	Nashville	AR	51%	High	78/100
44	72073	Humphrey	AR	51%	High	71/100
45	72350	Joiner	AR	51%	High	63/100
46	72457	Portia	AR	51%	High	88/100
47	72626	Cotter	AR	51%	High	72/100
48	72682	Valley Springs	AR	51%	High	77/100
49	71601	Pine Bluff	AR	50%	High	85/100
50	71651	Jersey	AR	50%	High	66/100
51	71653	Lake Village	AR	50%	High	52/100
52	71728	Curtis	AR	50%	High	66/100
53	71772	Whelen Springs	AR	50%	High	66/100
54	71835	Emmet	AR	50%	High	88/100
55	71859	Saratoga	AR	50%	High	66/100
56	72114	North Little Rock	AR	50%	High	77/100
57	72180	Woodson	AR	50%	High	73/100
58	72301	West Memphis	AR	50%	High	80/100
59	72355	Lexa	AR	50%	High	65/100
60	72554	Mammoth Spring	AR	50%	High	45/100
61	72587	Wiseman	AR	50%	High	53/100
62	72648	Marble Falls	AR	50%	High	66/100
63	72940	Huntington	AR	50%	High	87/100
64	71674	Watson	AR	49%	High	87/100
65	71838	Fulton	AR	49%	High	73/100
66	71922	Antoine	AR	49%	High	55/100
67	71961	Oden	AR	49%	High	46/100
68	72116	North Little Rock	AR	49%	High	82/100
69	72320	Brickeys	AR	49%	High	73/100
70	72327	Crawfordsville	AR	49%	High	81/100
71	72331	Earle	AR	49%	High	78/100
72	72333	Elaine	AR	49%	High	81/100
73	72348	Hughes	AR	49%	High	87/100
74	72414	Black Oak	AR	49%	High	66/100
75	72650	Marshall	AR	49%	High	67/100
76	72828	Briggsville	AR	49%	High	66/100
77	72904	Fort Smith	AR	49%	High	90/100
78	72928	Branch	AR	49%	High	66/100
79	72943	Magazine	AR	49%	High	86/100
80	72947	Mulberry	AR	49%	High	66/100
81	71726	Chidester	AR	48%	High	88/100
82	71834	Doddridge	AR	48%	High	66/100
83	71858	Rosston	AR	48%	High	62/100
84	72036	Cotton Plant	AR	48%	High	73/100
85	72039	Damascus	AR	48%	High	86/100
86	72061	Guy	AR	48%	High	88/100
87	72084	Leola	AR	48%	High	95/100
88	72112	Newport	AR	48%	High	73/100
89	72118	North Little Rock	AR	48%	High	77/100
90	72123	Patterson	AR	48%	High	84/100
91	72175	Wabbaseka	AR	48%	High	73/100
92	72353	Lambrook	AR	48%	High	66/100
93	72464	Saint Francis	AR	48%	High	66/100
94	72473	Tuckerman	AR	48%	High	74/100
95	72617	Big Flat	AR	48%	High	70/100
96	72935	Dyer	AR	48%	High	84/100
97	72944	Mansfield	AR	48%	High	71/100
98	72945	Midland	AR	48%	High	66/100
99	71647	Hermitage	AR	47%	High	80/100
100	71851	Mineral Springs	AR	47%	High	87/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.