Water Quality: Little Rock, AR
5 water systems • 380,367 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Little Rock is served by 5 public water systems with a combined service population of 380,367 people, and has 97 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 42 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Little Rock's violation count is 127% above the national average for Arkansas. Contaminants associated with violations include Bromate, Chlorine, Gross Alpha, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants Found
Probable human carcinogen that increases the risk of kidney and thyroid cancers.
Common source: Ozonation of bromide-containing water; used as flour improver
EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)
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)
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)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Little Rock
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTRAL ARKANSAS WATER | AR0000465 | Surface Water | 368,455 | 0 |
| EAST END WATER | AR0000646 | Groundwater | 5,954 | 2 |
| CENTRAL ARKANSAS WATER PARON | AR0000883 | Surface Water | 2,025 | 62 |
| PERLA WATER ASSOCIATION | AR0000623 | Surface Water | 1,970 | 32 |
| WYE MOUNTAIN WATER ASSOCIATION | AR0000410 | Surface Water | 1,963 | 1 |
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.