Is Bonanza, 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 ↓
81.2/100
waterverge.com Bonanza, AR — Water Quality Report
Bonanza's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 555 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 8 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 6 remain unresolved.
What to know about Bonanza's water
Bonanza ranks #217 out of 345 cities in Arkansas for water quality, placing it below average 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, Bonanza may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Bonanza, AR water safe to drink?
Bonanza's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 555 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Bonanza
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Bonanza's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.2/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3541). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4441). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Violation history
Bonanza's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 6 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Sebastian County has experienced 6 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. Local water sources include James Fork Near Hackett, Ar River At James W. Trimble L&D Nr Van Buren.
Where does Bonanza's water come from?
Bonanza's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 555 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include James Fork Near Hackett (river), Ar River At James W. Trimble L&D Nr Van Buren (river).
What Bonanza residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Bonanza'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.
Bonanza'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.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Bonanza
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Bonanza, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 16 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
GNB FORT SMITH LLC FORT SMITH, AR72908 | Lead | 12 | 6.8 mi |
GERDAU-FORT SMITH MILL FORT SMITH, AR72916 | Copper compounds | 4 | 5.6 mi |
ABB MOTORS & MECHANICAL INC. FORT SMITH, AR72901 | — | — | 6.6 mi |
INEOS COMPOSITES US LLC FORT SMITH, AR72901 | — | — | 7.2 mi |
ABB MOTORS & MECHANICAL INC. FORT SMITH, AR72901 | — | — | 7.3 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Sebastian County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
No contaminant data available for this city.
See how Bonanza compares by contaminant
Explore where Bonanza ranks among all Arkansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Bonanza's water comes from
Bonanza'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 555 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Bonanza
Bonanza is located near 2 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Bonanza
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BONANZA WATERWORKS | AR0000979 | 555 | SWP |
How Bonanza compares
Full Arkansas rankings →Bonanza's score of 81.2/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Arkansas cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Arkansas rankings →About Bonanza, AR
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Bonanza's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Sebastian
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonanza, AR tap water safe to drink?
Bonanza's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #217 out of 345 cities tested in Arkansas.
What contaminants are in Bonanza's water?
8 violations are on record.
How is Bonanza'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 Bonanza?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Bonanza's water come from?
Bonanza's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 555 residents.
What health violations has Bonanza's water system had?
Bonanza has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 6 violations remain unresolved.
How does Bonanza's water compare to other cities?
Bonanza ranks #217 out of 345 cities in Arkansas (better than 37% of state cities) and #7576 out of 15744 cities nationally (52th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Bonanza's small water system affect quality?
Bonanza's system serves approximately 555 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 8 violations on record.