WaterVerge

Is Blevins, AR Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AR0001078
Overall Score
72.3 / 100
Violations
6 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#263 of 345 in Arkansas Top 66% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
72.3/100
waterverge.com
B- 72.3/100

Blevins, AR — Water Quality Report

Blevins's drinking water received a grade of B- (72.3 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,170 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 46 violations on record, including 18 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Blevins's water

Blevins ranks #263 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

As a small community water system, Blevins may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
72.3 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
24.3/45
D
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
19/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Blevins, AR water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Blevins's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (72.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,170 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

6
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Blevins

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Blevins's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (72.3/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4873). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.

Disaster
HURRICANE LAURA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Blevins's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Blevins's water system has 46 total violations on record, including 18 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 9 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2024 TTHM Resolved
Jul 2023 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2023 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2023 TTHM Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Hempstead County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4873
HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3541
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3215

Where does Blevins's water come from?

Blevins's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,170 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Blevins residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Blevins's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Blevins'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

46
Total violations
18
Health-based
6
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

46 Total
6 Active
18 Health-based
40 Resolved
3 SNC
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
26
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
12
Consumer Confidence Rule
3
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
1
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
May 2016 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2024
Jul 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2023
Apr 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2023
Jan 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2023
Oct 2022 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2022
Jul 2022 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2022
Apr 2022 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2022
Jul 2016 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Sep 2016
Apr 2016 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Jun 2016
Oct 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Dec 2015
Mar 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2015
Feb 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Feb 2015
Jan 2013 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2013
Showing 20 of 46 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Blevins

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Blevins, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 866,904 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
TYSON CHICKEN INC. - HOPE PROCESSING PLANT
Food · TYSON FOODS INC
HOPE, AR71801
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)866,9049.2 mi
NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS LLC
Fabricated Metals · STEEL DYNAMICS INC
HOPE, AR71801
9.9 mi
OLDCASTLE LAWN & GARDEN
Wood Products · CRH AMERICAS INC
HOPE, AR71801
9.7 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Hempstead County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
14.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
May 2025
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Hempstead County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

May 2025
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4873
Aug 2020
HURRICANE LAURA
Hurricane FEMA #3541
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3215
May 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #865
Aug 1983
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #688
Apr 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #375

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 11.0 ppb from 1993 (12.0 ppb) to 2003 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Private
Population Served
1,170
Water Systems
2
Source breakdown
Purchased Surface Water
1
Groundwater
1
Water Source

Where Blevins's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Blevins's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 1,170 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Blevins

System Name PWSID Population Source
OZAN CREEK WATER SYSTEM AR0001078 787 SWP
BLEVINS WATERWORKS AR0000233 383 GW
Regional Comparison

How Blevins compares

Full Arkansas rankings →

Blevins's score of 72.3/100 is on par with the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Blevins (this city)
72.3
Springdale
79.1
Fort Smith
45.5
Arkansas avg
75
City Profile

About Blevins, AR

Wikipedia →

Blevins is a city in Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 288 at the 2020 census, down from 315 in 2010. It is part of the Hope Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Economic Profile
$57,500
Median Income
$79,482
Median Home Value
$706/mo
Median Rent
10.9%
Unemployment
Community
30.8
Median Age
129
People / sq mi
19.2%
College Educated
81.7%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Blevins, AR tap water safe to drink?

Blevins's water quality earned a grade of B- (72.3/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #263 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.

What contaminants are in Blevins's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 46 violations are on record.

How is Blevins'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 Blevins?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Blevins's water come from?

Blevins's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,170 residents.

What health violations has Blevins's water system had?

Blevins has 18 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 6 violations remain unresolved.

How does Blevins's water compare to other cities?

Blevins ranks #263 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 24% of state cities) and #10396 out of 15744 cities nationally (34th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.