Is Bay, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
83.7/100
waterverge.com Bay, AR — Water Quality Report
Bay's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,938 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 7 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Bay's water
Bay ranks #194 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Bay relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Bay may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Bay, AR water safe to drink?
Bay's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (83.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,938 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Bay
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Bay's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (83.7/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4873). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Bay's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Bay's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Craighead County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Bay's water come from?
Bay's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,938 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Bay residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Bay's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Bay's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Bay
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Bay, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 62 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ABB INSTALLATION PRODUCTS INC. JONESBORO, AR72401 | Zinc compounds | 57 | 6.6 mi |
CAMFIL AIR POLLUTION CONTROL JONESBORO, AR72401 | Manganese | 5 | 8.4 mi |
APEX TOOL GROUP JONESBORO, AR72401 | — | — | 6.7 mi |
FRITO-LAY INC JONESBORO, AR72401 | — | — | 4.6 mi |
GREAT DANE JONESBORO, AR72401 | — | — | 4.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D4 — exceptional droughtCraighead County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 63.9% of the county is in D4 (exceptional) drought. Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Craighead County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Bay compares by contaminant
Explore where Bay ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Bay's water comes from
Bay's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,938 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Bay
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAY WATERWORKS | AR0000129 | 1,938 | GW |
How Bay compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Bay's score of 83.7/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Bay, AR
Wikipedia →Bay is a city in Craighead County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,876 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Jonesboro Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Bay's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Craighead
Frequently asked questions
Is Bay, AR tap water safe to drink?
Bay's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #194 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Bay's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.
How is Bay's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Bay?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Bay's water come from?
Bay's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,938 residents.
Is Bay's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Bay uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 7 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Bay's water compare to other cities?
Bay ranks #194 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 44% of state cities) and #6301 out of 15744 cities nationally (60th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Bay's small water system affect quality?
Bay's system serves approximately 1,938 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 7 violations on record.