Water Quality: Deer, AR
4 water systems • 3,204 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Deer is served by 4 public water systems with a combined service population of 3,204 people, and has 145 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 52 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Deer's violation count is 239% above the national average for Arkansas. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Gross Alpha.
Contaminants Found
Eye and nose irritation at high levels; long-term exposure above the MCL may cause liver and kidney damage.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant added to kill harmful microorganisms
EPA limit: 4.0 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Water Systems Serving Deer
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAIL-SWAIN WATER ASSOCIATION | AR0000856 | Surface Water | 970 | 61 |
| DEER WATER ASSOCIATION | AR0000670 | Surface Water | 938 | 63 |
| MT SHERMAN WATER ASSOCIATION | AR0000680 | Surface Water | 903 | 18 |
| PARTHENON WATER ASSOCIATION | AR0000736 | Surface Water | 393 | 3 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Arkansas
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.